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Dunglison's Medical Library. 

NEW EEMEDIES: 

THE 

METHOD 

OF 

PREPARING AND ADMINISTERING THEM 
THEIR EFFECTS 

ON THE 

HEALTHY AND DISEASED ECONOMY, <fcc. 



PRODESSE QUAM CONSPICI. 



BY ROBLEY DUNGLISON, M. D., M. A. P. S. 

Professor of Hip Institutes of Medicine &c. in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia; 
Attending Physician to the Philadelphia Hospital; Fellow of the College of Physicians ; 
and Honorary Memiier of the College of Pharmacy of Philadelphia ; of the Societe 
de Pharmacie, and Societe Linneenne, of Paris; Honorary Corresponding 
Member of the British Provincial Medical and Surgical Asso- 
ciation, &c. &c. 




PHILADELPHIA : 

ADAM WALDIE, 46 CARPENTER STREET 

1839. 



.11 



Entered according lo Act of Congres?, by Rob!ey Dunglison, M. D. in the Clerk's Office of ihe 
District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



k^ 6 



ADAM WALDIE, PRINTER 



PREFACE. 



The information, concerning the remedies of more recent intro- 
duction, lies scattered in so many works, that it cannot be ac- 
cessible to the mass of physicians. The author has, consequently, 
believed, that he would be rendering a service to the profession by 
concentrating the results of experience within reasonable limits, so 
that they may be readily available to all. The majority of the 
new agents — it will be found — have been furnished by modern 
chemistry ; and their employment has been attended with this ad- 
vantage, that— when properly prepared— they are not liable to un- 
certainty in their operation ; whilst the various plants from which 
the strychnine, emetine, quinine, &c. are obtained, are liable to 
irregularity of action, owing to faults in desiccation, to the season 
in which they are culled, &c. &c. — objections which cannot apply 
to the active principles when separated from them. 

The author has esteemed it proper to give — as far as he was 
able — the recorded experience of all who have employed the reme- 
dies in question, owing to the difficulty of sifting the results of true 
from those of false observation. 

It need scarcely be said, that to make a correct observer and a 
good therapeutist, a knowledge of every department of medical 
science is demanded. Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and ma- 
teria medica are, indeed, but introductory to the great object which 
the practitioner has in view — the alleviation and removal of suf- 
fering. Were it otherwise, it would be but necessary to institute 
empirical trials, in every case of disease, with various articles 
in and out of the received lists of the materia medica, and from 
such vague trials to endeavour to deduce what is termed "expe- 
rience." 

The erroneous idea prevails too extensively, that every one is 
capable of profiting by observation, and that, therefore, all who 



have had the same amount of experience, must be equally capable 
of treating disease. Setting aside, however, the consideration of 
the differences that must necessarily result from the varied powers 
of individuals, it can scarcely be maintained, that he, whose atten- 
tion has not been properly directed to the study of the prelimi- 
nary branches, which have been enumerated, and whose mind has 
not been trained in tracing the relation between cause and effect, 
can ever duly profit by mere experience in that which has been 
properly termed " the most inductive of all sciences." 1 

To treat disease methodically and effectively, the nature of the 
actions of the living tissues, in both the healthy and morbid con- 
ditions, must be correctly appreciated ; the effects, which the arti- 
cles of the materia medica are capable of exerting under both those 
conditions, must be known from accurate observation, and not 
until then can the practitioner prescribe with any well-founded 
prospect of success. Numerous errors would be perpetrated, were 
we to profess, and to carry out such profession, that we are guided 
by experience only, unless that experience had been gained by a 
due consideration of all the physiological, pathological, and thera- 
peutical bearings of the subject. In illustration of this, the well- 
known case, cited by Dr. Paris, in his Life of Sir Humphry Davy, 
may be adduced. The enthusiastic Beddoes, having hypothetically 
inferred, that the inhalation of the nitrous oxide might be a specific 
for palsy, a patient was selected for trial, and placed under the care 
of Davy — at the time assistant to Beddoes. Before administering 
the gas, Davy thought of ascertaining the temperature of the body 
by the thermometer placed under the tongue. The paralytic, 
deeply impressed by Dr. Beddoes with the certainty of the success 
of the remedy, of which he knew nothing — soon after the thermo- 
meter was placed in his mouth, believing this to be the great cura- 
tive agent— declared that he felt somewhat better. Nothing more 
was, therefore, done ; and he was requested to return on the fol- 
lowing day. The same form was then gone through, with the 
same results; and, at the end of a fortnight, the sick man was dis- 
missed cured, no agent of any kind having been employed, except 
the thermometer. 

Now, if the reasoning powers were not duly exerted, experience 



' Propterea sola experientia absque doctrina et ratione incerta est, et con- 
jecturalis. Q,ui enira novit rhubarbaium purgare bilera, nescit tamen quando, 
quibus, et cui morbo prosit, nisi sit medicus doctus et peritus. Primrose 
De vulgi erroribus in medicina, lib. i. cap. xl. Arastelod. 1639. 



PREFACE. V 

would obviously teach, as the result of this case, that the thermo- 
meter is an antiparalytic. The rational therapeutist is not, how- 
ever, satisfied with this knowledge of the fact, for " fact it is." He 
enquires into the mode in which the effect was induced, and he is 
not long - in referring it to the influence exerted by the moral over 
the 'physique; and he classes the thermometer with Perkinism, 
animal magnetism, and their congenerous arts, — amongst articles 
that act chiefly through the new impressions, which they make on 
the senses. 

It might seem to those, who are unacquainted with medical his- 
tory, that in periods approaching our own, no such illogical infe- 
rences could be deduced, and that it has been the custom with the 
profession, for ages, to bestow all due caution, and the most rational 
enquiry in the collection of facts. Such, however, is far from being 
the case. It is, indeed, humiliating to reflect on the credulity or 
faulty observation that has existed among nations, who have suc- 
cessfully cultivated many of the other branches of natural science. 
It ought scarcely to be credited, and yet it is nevertheless true, that 
the aqua spervnatis ranarum, or " water of frog's spawn," was to 
be found not very long ago in the Pharmacopoeia of Sardinia ; and 
the aqua hirundinum cum castoreo, or " water of swallows with 
castor," in those of Manheim and Wirtemberg. The latter prepa- 
ration is directed to be made as follows : — Take of young swallows 
bruised in a mortar, forty ; rue, two handfuls ; castor, one ounce ; 
white wine, three pints. This disgusting preparation was given in 
hysteria and epilepsy. Again ; the bufones exsiccati, or " dried 
toads," were in the Pharmacopoeias of Spain and Wirtemberg, — 
having been formerly administered in powder, as a diuretic, in 
dropsy. In another work, 1 the author has adduced many examples 
as strange as those instanced, and it would be easy to enumerate 
still more. 

In a recent French journal, and in an article by M. Ricord — the 
distinguished physician to the Venereal Hospital of Paris — we have 
an example of the pertinacity with which ancient prepossessions 
and inculcations adhere, and how difficult it is to think and to act 
according to the unbiased suggestions of our own observation and 
reflection. In the treatment of blennorrhagic epididymitis, or 
swelled testicle from gonorrhoea, M. Ricord recommends compres- 
sion to be made by means of the " sparadrap," or plaster of vigo 
with mercury. This plaster, although prescribed by Ricord, is not 

1 General Therapeutics, p. 55. Philad. 1836. 



VI PREFACE. 

to be met with in the Pharmacopceia of Paris. It is in those of 
Spain and Wirtemberg — so prolific in the relics of ancient credulity 
and superstition — that we have to search for it. In the latter 
pharmacopceia, it is directed to be formed of living frogs and 
living earthworms, boiled with various inert and by us rejected 
herbs in, white wine and vinegar, — the decoction being strained, 
and added to olive oil, litharge, oil of bayberries, turpentine, 
yellow wax, olibanum, euphorbium, and liquid storax, all melted 
together. 

Yet, it is scarcely possible to conceive, that the frog's spawn 
could have been supposed to yield a product on distillation, differing 
from that of other animal substances, when subjected to the same 
process ; that the swallows — in the preparation cited — added any 
thing to the antispasmodic virtues of the castor, or that the living 
frogs and earth worms exerted any efficacy in the sparadrap de 
vigo — a plaster, employed for compressing tumours, and for which 
purpose we use one of simple adhesive constituents. They have 
all been propjrly rejected from the lists of our medicinal agents, 
and are looked upon as irrational ; yet, we are compelled to infer — 
from the fact of their having been received, in some countries, into 
officinal publications, into the Pharmacopoeias, which emanate 
from congregations of those of our profession, who are esteemed 
learned by education and by practice— that they were originally 
admitted under the sanction of fancied experience. 

In the darker periods of medical history, monstrous and revolting 
polypharmacal preparations were introduced, and nothing but the 
blindest devotion to authority or to established custom could have 
occasioned their retention. It is not long since the Theriac of 
Andromachus — itself but a modification of the Antidotum Mithrida- 
tum — was dismissed from the British Pharmacopoeias. It consisted 
o£ seventy-two articles, and was a farrago — as Dr. Heberden 
observed, that had " no better title to the name of Mithridates than 
— as it so well resembles — the numerous undisciplined forces of a 
barbarous king, made up of a dissonant crowd collected from 
different countries, mighty in appearance, but in reality an ineffec- 
tive multitude, that only hinder each other." The electuarium 
opiatum polypharmacum, of the Parisian codex — the descendant 
of the old theriac, with even an additional number of ingredients — 
contains acrid substances, 5 ; astringent, 5 ; bitter, 22 ; indigenous 
aromatics, 10; umbelliferous aromatics. 7; balsams and resinous 
substances, 8 ; fetid ingredients, 6 ; narcotics, 1 ; earthy substances, 
1 ; gummy or amylaceous, 4 ; saccharine, 3. Total, 72— and one 



PREFACE. Vll 

of these the flesh of the viper, a little more than a grain of opium — 
which may be regarded as a principal effective ingredient — being 
contained in a dram of the compound. Yet, when the question arose 
in the London College of Physicians, as to what should be the fate 
of this " many headed monster," and when it was proposed by Dr. 
Heberden, that it should be ejected from the Pharmacopoeia — on a 
division it was found, that there were thirteen votes for retaining, 
and fourteen for rejecting it. Its ostracism was determined by a 
majority of one only, in a learned body, twenty-seven of whose 
members were present. 

Such was the fate of a " heterogeneous farrago," which, as Dr. 
Paris has remarked, " can be vindicated upon no principle of com- 
bination," and yet enjoyed the confidence of physicians for ages — a 
confidence unquestionably founded, in their belief, on experience, 
but experience based upon defective observation, and, consequently, 
on erroneous inferences — the results being consecutive rather than 
consequent, and bearing no relation whatever to the assigned cause. 

Happily, more correct ideas are beginning to be entertained on 
the subject of true experience. It is now felt — to employ the lan- 
guage of a distinguished surgeon — Professor Liston — that the 
greatest number of well assorted facts on a particular subject 
constitutes experience, whether these facts have been culled in five 
years or in fifty. A better system, too, of observation generally pre- 
vails, so that we have discarded the absurd and revolting agents, 
that are still retained in the books of authority of some European 
countries. Much, however, remains to be done. The catalogue of 
the Materia Medica is yet overstocked, and the pruning knife has 
still to be applied to lop off many of the redundancies, which have 
been proved to be such, by the more accurate attention, which is 
daily paid to tracing the due relation between cause and effect. 
" To purchase a clear and warrantable body of truth," as Sir Thomas 
Brown has well observed, " we must forget and part with much we 
know." 

Every one will be compelled to admit, that it is the duty of the 
correct therapeutist to doubt the existence of qualities in any article 
until they have been adequately proved. When such is the case, 
no reasoning can set aside facts ; but unless the evidence be over- 
powering, it is equally his duty to remain in doubt, especially, 
should reflection suggest to him strong grounds for believing, that 
the number of observations has been insufficient, that they have not 
been properly made or are inconsequential. 

To enable the profession to form an accurate estimate of the 



Vlll PREFACE. 

value of remedies of more recent introduction, or of the older reme- 
dies whose use has been revived under novel applications, the 
present volume was undertaken by the author. 

In Germany, several works exist on this subject, and that of 
Riecke— to which the author has repeatedly referred — served as a 
basis for many of the articles ; his observations, however, do not 
come down further than the year 1836. Some of the statements 
— especially in relation to the observations of certain of the German 
physicians — are given on Riecke's authority, for he has rarely 
appended references, by which the correctness of his assertions 
could be tested. 

It has been a great object with the author to furnish exact refer- 
ences to works in which further information may be obtained, and 
the number of these will show, that he has devoted no small amount 
of time and attention to the subject. He has likewise added the 
results of his own experience in public and in private. The motto 
which he has selected — prodesse quam conspici — conveys, in epi- 
tome, his feelings. His sole object has been, " to be useful" — and if 
he has succeeded, the reward is ample. 



ROBLEY DUNGLISON. 



Philadelphia, No. 9 Girard Street, 
October 1, 1839. 



Erratum— p. 340, line 10— for "eighty" read "thirty." 



NEW REMEDIES. 



ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM. 



Synonymes. Acidum Prussicum, Acidum Borussicum, A. Zooticum, A, 

Zootinicum, Hydrocyanic, or Prussic Acid. 
French. Acide Hydrocyanique, Acide Prussique. 
German. Blausaure, Wasserstoffblausaure, Hydrocyansaure, Cyanwas- 

serstoffsaure. 

This acid can scarcely be looked upon as new : yet it is only in 
recent times that its application to pathological conditions has been 
well appreciated. It was discovered by Scheele, in 1780; but its 
preparation in a state of purity, and its exact chemical constitution, 
were not understood until Gay-Lussac published the results of his 
investigations on the subject in the year 18 15. 1 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The three chief modes of preparing the hydrocyanic acid, at 
present received into the pharmacopoeias, are those of Scheele, 
Gay-Lussac, and Vauquelin ; the first of which was adopted by 
the framers of the United States' Pharmacopoeia of 1820, and by 
those of Belgium, Paris, and Ferrara; the second, by the Pharma- 
copoeias of Paris and Ferrara; and the third by those of Belgium, 
Paris, and the United States.— (Edition of 1830.) 

1. Scheele' s Method. 

Take of Prussian bine, 128 parts. 

Red oxide of mercury, 64 parts. 
Distilled water, 105 parts. 

Boil for a quarter of an hour, constantly shaking; strain, filter, 
and wash the residuum with 

Boiling water, 128 parts. 

1 Annales de Chimie, torn, lxvii. p. 128, and torn. xcv. p. 136. 
6 — d dungl 1 



2 dunglison's new remedies. 

Mix the two liquids together ; introduce them into a flask, and 
add, 

Porphyrised iron filings, 96 parts. 
Sulphuric acid, (66°) 24 parts. 

Diluted with 

Distilled water, 24 parts. 

Shake the mixture, and keep the flask for an hour in cold water ; 
pour the decanted liquid into a tubulated retort placed in a sand 
bath, to the neck of which is attached an adapter that passes into 
a tubulated receiver, whence a curved tube issues that passes into 
a flask filled with water; lute the apparatus; cover the receiver 
with wet rags ; raise the heat until the liquid boils, and until there 
have passed into the receiver — 192 parts. 
Add to this liquid, of 

Carbonate of lime, S parts. 
Distil again, and draw off 128 parts, which must be kept in a 
bottle covered with black paper. 

This process of Scheele always affords an acid mixed with a 
variable quantity of water. 

2. Gay-Lussac's Method. 

Take cyanuret of mercury, at pleasure. 

Introduce it into a tubulated retort, the neck of which is fur- 
nished with a wide tube of glass filled with broken marble and 
chloruret of calcium, which tube communicates, through a smaller 
one, with a bell glass surrounded by a freezing mixture. 

Pour on muriatic acid sufficient to rise above the cyanuret to 
the height of a finger; heat gradually and moderately, and receive 
the condensed product into the bell glass. 

The acid, obtained in this way, is anhydrous, and of the specific 
gravity .700. 

3. Vauquelin 's Method. 
Take of 

Cyanuret of mercury, 1 part. 

Distilled water, 8 parts. 

Pass a current of hydro-sulphuric acid gas into the solution, 
until the gas is in excess ; pour into the liquid pulverised sub- 
carbonate of lead in sufficient quantity to remove the excess of 
hydro-sulphuric acid : shake the mixture constantly, and when it 
has no longer the smell of putrid eggs, and ceases to blacken 
paper impregnated with acetate of lead, filter and preserve it 
carefully. 

The product of this operation has been considered to approxi- 
mate to the average density of the acid of Scheele. 1 

1 See Notes on Hydrocyanic acid, by Dr. R. E. Griffith, in Philad. Journ. 
of Pharmacy, iv. 17. Philad. 1833; also, Pereira, Elements of Materia 
Medica, part i. p. 236. Lond. 1839. 



ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM. 6 

The variable density of the acid prepared after Scheele's method, 
has prevented it from being generally used in medicine. The acid 
of Gay-Lussac is most commonly employed ; but as it;; degree of 
concentration renders it dangerous, it is diluted with distilled 
water. Robiquet has proposed to bring its density to .900, by 
adding two parts of water to it. Thus reduced, it resembles the 
acid of Scheele, with the advantage, that there is a constant and 
known ratio between the pure, or anhydrous acid, and the quan- 
tity of water united with it. Magendie adds to it six times its bulk, 
or eight and a half times its weight of distilled water, and calls the 
mixture acide prussique medicinal? medicinal prussic or hydrocy- 
anic acid. Others have advised the employment of a mixture of 
three parts of water, and one part of acid, under the name of 
acide hydrocyanique au quart, or " hydrocyanic acid of quarter 
strength." 2 

Dr. Bache asserts, that he has had the process of the United. 
States' Pharmacopoeia (Proust's or Yauquelin's) repeated, when he 
found the acid obtained to have the specific gravity .998. 3 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

Hydrocyanic acid is usually classed amongst the narcotic 
poisons, 4 yet there is reason for believing, that its ordinary effects 
are purely sedative. Whilst the agents belonging to the class of 
narcotics produce, first of all, excitation in the organic actions, 
followed sooner or later, when the agent is in sufficient dose, by 
signs of sedation, this acid occasions the latter results only. 

It is the most powerful of our poisons, producing, in an adequate 
dose, the fatal result so suddenly, that the animal experimented 
upon can scarcely be removed from the lap of the experimenter 
before all signs of life are extinct. This rapidity of action nega- 
tives the idea, that the acid acts through the mass of blood, and 
favours the view of those who believe, that the impression is made 
immediately on the nerves of the part with which it is placed in 
contact, or on the nerves that are distributed to the lining mem- 
brane of the blood vessels, as suggested by Messrs. Addison and 
Morgan. 5 It seems to us, however, that the same objection applies'to 
the explanation of these gentlemen as to that which ascribes the 
effects to the poison being taken into the blood— that the fatal result 
is often too sudden for us to presume that it has entered the blood 
vessels; unless we esteem it an agent possessed of powerfully 

1 Formulaire pour la preparation etc. de plusieurs nouveaux medicamens. 

2 Pharmacopee Universelle, par Jourdan, i. 31. Paris, 1828. 

* The Dispensatory of the United States of America, by Drs. Wood and 
Bache, 2d edit. p. 713. Philad. 1836. 

* Chrisiison's Treatise on Poisons, 3d edit. Edinb. 1S36. 

6 An Essay on the operation of poisonous agents upon the living body. 
Lond. 1829. 



4 DUNGLISON S NEW REMEDIES. 

penetrating properties. In very large doses, the sensibility of the 
whole nervous system becomes annihilated almost with the rapidity 
of lightning. 

A female, who was deceived by the odour of a solution of hydro- 
cyanic acid in alcohol, drank a small vialful and died in two 
minutes, as if struck with apoplexy. A strong healthy man, thirty- 
six years of age, being detected in thieving, swallowed a small 
vialful of the acid, staggered a few steps, and fell dead. Four or 
five minutes afterwards, the physician who was called, found him 
lifeless, without the slightest trace of pulse or respiration. In a few 
minutes, convulsive expirations were observed, but no indica- 
tions of returning life: the face was sunken and livid; the hands 
and feet deadly cold ; the forehead and face cold and dry ; and the 
eyes half open, and glassy. 1 

Dr. Damason 2 relates the case of a druggist, who had some 
hydrocyanic acid in a phial with a ground stopper, and as it had 
been prepared almost three months, thinking that it was decom- 
posed, he opened the phial, and applied it to his nose to ascertain 
whether the acid retained any smell : he instantly fell down, and 
remained for half an hour without giving the slightest signs of life; 
but finally recovered after an illness of several days. 

Many experiments have been made on animals with this acid. 

A drop, introduced into the bill or anus of a sparrow, induced 
death in from one to two minutes, preceded by convulsions. Even 
holding the bill over a vial filled with the acid proved fatal. 

A duck was destroyed by fourteen drops. 

Twenty drops, introduced into the stomach of a rabbit, killed it 
in three minutes. When a few drops were injected into the jugular 
vein, death supervened still sooner. 

A small dog, to which two drops had been given, experienced 
shortness of breath; staggered, fell, passed its urine repeatedly; 
vomited twice, and afterwards seemed quite well. 

The same animal took, five hours later, eight drops, and fell into 
a tetanic, comatose condition, but recovered in half an hour. More 
severe but not fatal effects resulted from sixteen drops. Thirty to 
forty drops, administered to dogs and cats, produced violent con- 
vulsions and death, in from six to fifteen minutes. 

The experiments of Emmert and Coullon seem to have shown 
that the action of hydrocyanic acid is more violent when it is 
injected into the jugular vein, or inhaled in a concentrated form; 
less so when injected into the rectum. In the case of a horse, into 
whose jugular it was injected, death occurred in twenty-one 
minutes. When placed in contact with the dura mater, or with 
nerves, no striking phenomena were perceptible. [?] This fact was 

1 Hufeland, Journal der practisch. Heilkund. Band. xl. St. 1, S. 85 to 92, 
and Osann, in Art. Blausaure, in Encyk. Worterb. der Mediciniscben Wis- 
senscbaft. Band. v. S. 528. Berlin, 1830. 

* Journal de Cbimie Medicale. Juin, 1831. 



ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM. 5 

confirmed by Viborg. 1 On the other hand, when received into a 
wound in its concentrated state, it acts most violently. Scharring, 
who broke a glass containing the acid, and received some of it into 
the wound produced thereby, died in an hour after the accident. 

It is not easy to deduce comparative results from the statements 
of different experimenters, inasmuch as we are ignorant of the 
precise strength of the acid employed. A French physician made 
some experiments on the uncertainty of the strength of the medi- 
cinal acid ; and he found, that he could swallow a whole ounce of 
one sample, and a drachm of a stronger sample, without sustaining 
any injury; but on trying some, which had been recently prepared 
by Yauquelin, he was immediately taken ill, and narrowly escaped 
with his life. 2 Mr. Pereira 3 once caused the instantaneous death of 
a rabbit by applying its nose to a receiver filled with the vapour of 
the pure acid : the animal died without a struggle. A drop of the 
pure acid of Gay-Lussac, placed in the throat of the most vigorous 
dog, caused it to fall dead after two or three hurried respirations. 4 

We have already alluded to the effect of the acid when dropped 
upon the conjunctiva — a mucous surface, and therefore possessed 
of highly absorbing powers : but it cannot be placed with im- 
punity in contact with surfaces, which, owing to their being 
covered with cuticle, do not readily absorb. Orfila* states, that a 
professor of Vienna, having prepared a pure and concentrated 
acid, spread a certain quantity of it on his naked arm, and died 
a short time afterwards. Dr. Christison, 6 however, says this 
was probably a mistake. On repeating some of the experiments, 
he 7 found, that a single drop, weighing scarcely a third of a 
grain, dropped into the mouth of a rabbit, killed it in eighty- 
three seconds, and began to act in sixty-three seconds ; that three 
drops, weighing four-fifths of a grain, in like manner killed a strong 
cat in thirty seconds, and began to act in ten ; that another was 
affected by the same dose in five, and died in forty seconds ; that 
four drops, weighing a grain and a fifth, did not affect a rabbit for 
twenty seconds, but killed it in ten seconds more ; and that twenty- 
five grains, corresponding with an ounce and a half of medicinal 
acid, began to act on a rabbit, as soon as it was poured into its 
mouth, and killed it outright in ten seconds at farthest. Three 
drops, projected into the eye, acted on a cat in twenty seconds, and 
killed it in twenty more ; and the same quantity, dropped on a fresh 
wound in the loins, acted in forty-five, and proved fatal in one 
hundred and five, seconds. 

1 Osann, loc. cit. S. 580. 

2 Revue Medicale, xvii. 265, and Christison on Poisons, 3d edit. p. 690. 
Edinb. 1836. 

* Op. citat. p. 242. 

* Magendie, in Annales de Chimie et de Physique, vi. 347, and Formu- 
lary. 

6 Toxicologic 

8 Op. cit. p. 707. 

7 Op. cit. p. 694. See also, Dr. Geoghegan, in Dublin Medical Journal, 
for 1835. and Pereira, Op. cit. p. 242. 



O DUNGLISON S NEW REMEDIES. 

When given in rather too strong a dose, or — if in proper doses — 
at too short intervals, it produces headach, and vertigo, which go 
off, however, in a few minutes : when inhaled, even if diluted with 
atmospheric air, it causes vomiting, prostration, pains in the back 
part of the head, and great diminution of the arterial pulsations. 
In a more concentrated state, the effects are more rapidly fatal than 
in any other form of administration. M. Robert found that when 
a bird, a rabbit, a cat, and two dogs, were made to breathe air 
saturated with its vapour, the first and second died in one second ; 
the cat in two seconds ; one dog in five, and the other in ten 
seconds. 1 

With regard to the parts of the economy that are primarily acted 
upon by the hydrocyanic acid, there can be but little doubt in 
designating the nervous system. In no other way can we readily 
explain the extreme rapidity of its action in fatal cases. When once 
mixed with the blood, however, out of the body, it altogether changes 
the character of that fluid, and opposes its coagulation. 2 Some of 
the German writers 3 have endeavoured to indicate three grades of 
its action on the economy. First. In moderate doses, long con- 
tinued, it occasions a marked diminution in the action of the 
nervous and vascular systems ; vertigo ; disposition to syncope : 
epistaxis as a consequence of thinness of the blood, and a disposi- 
tion to putrid diseases. 4 Secondly. In larger doses, the sedative 
effect of the acid on the spinal marrow, and the abdominal ganglia, 
is indicated by feelings of weakness, numbness, tremors, and other 
involuntary motions of the extremities, involuntary discharge of the 
urine and faeces, augmentation of the cutaneous and urinary depu- 
rations ; palpitations, anxiety at the prascordia, weak pulse, and, 
according to some, headach, especially in the back part of the 
head; excoriation of the tongue and inner parts of the cheeks, 5 and 
salivation. This last symptom is given by Dr. Christison 6 on the 
authority of Drs. Macleod and Granville. 7 It has been suspected, 
however, that salivation, in these cases, was brought about by the 
use of an impure acid, containing probably a small quantity of the 
deuto-chloride of mercury, particularly if the acid had been pre- 
pared — according to the process of the Dublin College — with bicy- 
anide of mercury, muriatic acid and water. Mercury is, indeed, 
asserted to have been actually discovered in the acid by Sylves- 
ter's test. Thirdly. In still larger doses, violent affections of the 
spinal marrow, convulsions, trismus, opisthotonos, emprostho- 
tonos, fainting, &c. are induced. 

1 Annales de Chimie, xcii. 59. 

2 Magendie, Lectures on the Blood. Leet. xvii. in Lancet, for Jan. 26, 1839, 
p. 636. On its Action when injected into the Vessels; see Mr. Blake, in 
Edin. Med. and Surg. Journ. April, 1339, p. 339. 

3 Richter, Specielle Therapie, Band, x, S. 2S0. Berlin, 1828; and Osann, 
]oc. cit. S. 527. 

* Encyk. Worterb. B. ii. S. 315. 

s Born, in Rusts Magazin, B. xiii. S. 282. 

8 Op. citat. p. 701. 

7 Lond. Med. and Phys. Journ. xlvi. 359 and 363. 



ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM. 7 

From the results of all his observations, Osarm 1 infers, that the 
hydrocyanic acid acts dynamically on the nervous system, by 
diminishing, depressing, and annihilating its life, and, through the 
nervous system, affecting the organs of vegetation or nutrition, and 
of heematosis ; — that it incontestably has a specific relation to the 
spinal marrow, the ganglions of the abdomen, and the dependent 
organs ; and hence it is, that, in comparison with other narcotic 
agents, it is less stupifying, whilst it influences more deeply the 
phenomena of vegetative or organic life. He properly remarks, 
however, that the inferences of Jbrg, 2 from his experiments, are 
apparently opposed to this view. Jorg considered its effects upon 
the brain to be excitant, and that it occasioned turgescence of that 
organ. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

From the effects produced by the hydrocyanic acid on the healthy 
body, we may infer the cases of disease in which it may be indi- 
cated. It is decidedly sedative, allaying nervous irritability and 
vascular action, and therefore adapted for all cases in which these 
are inordinately excited. Yet its power, as a medicinal agent, is 
not as great as was at one time presumed, and as is still presumed 
by many. In some countries, too, it has found more favour than 
in others. In Italy, France and England, it has been more exten- 
sively used than in Germany; yet in many of the Pharmacopoeias 
of the last country it has been admitted into the list of officinal 
agents. The great objections that have been urged against it are 
— its danger, even in a small dose, if not carefully administered ; 
the difficulty of having it always of the same strength ; the impos- 
sibility of administering it undiluted, and the danger of giving too 
strong a dose in consequence of its rising to the surface of water. 
More than once the difference in the strength of the acid, prepared 
by different methods, would seem to have given rise to unfortunate 
results. Orfila 3 mentions the case of a sick person, who had used 
for a length of time the hydrocyanic acid, in increasing doses, with 
advantage; when, being compelled to send her prescription to 
another apothecary, the acid he employed was so strong as to pro- 
duce death, with all the symptoms of poisoning by hydrocyanic 
acid. For these and other reasons, Ripcke, L. W. Sachs, and 
Osann greatly prefer the Aqua laurocerasi and the Aqua amygda- 
larum amarum, which, although in other respects not less objection- 
able, are far less dangerous. 4 

Possessed of the powerful sedative agency, which has been 

1 Loc. citat. S. 526. 

2 Materialien zu einer kiinftigen Heilmittellehre. B. i. S. 53, 117. 

3 Toxicologic. 

4 Die neuern Arzneimittel, ihre physischen und chemischen Eigen- 
schaften, Bereitungsweise, Wirkung auf den gesunden und kranken 
Organisraus, u. s. w. von V. A. Riecke, S. 5. Stuttgart, 1837; Osann loc. 
citat. and Encyklop. Wort. ii. 315. 



8 dunglison's new remedies. 

described, it is not to be wondered at, that the hydrocyanic acid 
should have been prescribed in a multitude of cases, and, as con- 
stantly happens, that unsuccessful trials, suggested by the merest 
empiricism, should have been made with it. 

In inflammations, especially when accompanied with marked 
erethism of the nervous system, it has been greatly extolled, and, 
next to blood-letting, has been regarded by many as one of our 
most valuable antiphlogistics. The followers of the contro-stimu- 
lant school esteem it as one of their most efficacious contro- 
stimulants. 

In the acute inflammations of internal organs it has been highly 
recommended by the Italian physicians, Borda and Brera, in thoracic 
inflammation, after blood-letting, in conjunction with tartarised 
antimony and similar sedative agents; and by others in enteritis, 
metritis and nephritis, and in active hemorrhages. 

In chronic inflammations it has been advised by Granville, 
Magendie, Heller, Elwert, Behr, Roch, &c, especially in chronic 
catarrh, bronchitis, and hooping cough. In the last affection it is 
conceived by Dr. Roe 1 to possess a " specitic"(?) power. In warm 
weather he thinks it will cure almost any case of simple hooping 
cough in a short time; that in all seasons it will abridge its dura- 
tion, and in almost every instance, where it does not cure, that it 
will, at least, materially relieve the severity of the cough. 

In pulmonary consumption it has been recommended by Gran- 
ville, Magendie, S. G. Morton, Fantonette, 2 and others, particularly 
where there is any inflammatory or spasmodic complication ; but 
others, as Neumann, Weitsch, Sir James Clarke, and, we may add, 
ourselves, have given it in these very cases without any success. 
By some, indeed, it has been affirmed, that its administration in 
phthisis is to be adopted with caution, as in many cases instead of 
allaying, it appears to have increased, the cough and fever, dimi- 
nished the expectoration, and occasioned a sense of suffocation : 3 it 
has been, moreover, asserted, that its depressing and destructive 
agency has acted injuriously on the organism of the consumptive. 4 

In chronic nervous diseases, especially when of a spasmodic 
character — as in spasmodic affections of the heart — even when 
organic, the hydrocyanic acid has been advised as a soothing 
agent, as well as in spasmodic asthma ; in the sense of suffocation 
that accompanies hydrothorax and other affections ; and in spas- 
modic dysphagia. 

Its efficacy, too, has been marked, according to Elliotson, 5 in 

1 A Treatise on the Nature and Treatment of Hooping Cough, &c, p. 10, 
London, 1838. 

2 Gazette des Hopitaux, Fev. 19, 1839. 

3 Schneider, Med. Prakt. Adversarien am Krankenbette, Erste Liefer, 

5. 62, referred to by Osann. 

* Siebergundi, in Hufeland's Journal der pract. Heilkund. B. liii., St. 

6. S. 15. 

6 On the efficacy of Hydrocyanic or Prussic Acid in Affections of the 
Stomach, &c. Lond. 1820. 



ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM. 9 

various neuropathic disorders of the stomach, especially in those 
in which pain at the epigastrium was the leading symptom, — in 
every form, indeed, of gastrodynia; and in painful affections of the 
bowels, of a similar character, it has been found useful by Mr. 
Pereira. 1 

In enlargement of the heart it was found by Heller to diminish 
the force and frequency of the pulsations, and in this way to afford 
essential relief. In an old person, labouring under anasarca, ac- 
companied by great pain in the breast, Rees observed, after the 
administration of Vauquelin's acid, great diuresis, with the removal 
of the dropsy and its concomitant symptoms. 2 

In the asthma pulverulentum of the Germans, (Staubasthma,) 
that is, in the variety to which millers, bakers, grinders and others 
are liable, Creutswicher is said to have found it highly serviceable. 3 

Its efficacy has not been so marked in epilepsy, chorea and 
kindred affections ; yet it has been strongly recommended in tetanus. 
Trevezant ordered it in a case of traumatic tetanus, after opium had 
been given in vain, in the dose of from two to twelve drops with 
favourable results. 4 On the other hand, Klein gave it in a similar 
case, with no other apparent effect than that of rendering death 
more easy/ It has likewise been advised in spasmodic pains of the 
uterus. 

Yet, although it would seem to be soothing and antispasmodic 
in many cases of erethism, Grindel and Osann 6 consider it by no 
means adapted for the radical cure of spasmodic diseases. 

In violent neuralgia, especially in an impressible condition of the 
vascular system, in nervous cephalalgia, hemicrania, tic-douloureux, 
and in gouty and rheumatic sciatica it has been extolled. Dr. E. S. 
Bonnet, 7 of Charleston, treated successfully some cases of facial 
neuralgia, of great severity, by this agent applied externally in the 
form of the distilled water of the primus laurocerasus. It is pro- 
per, however, to remark, that in two of the three cases described, 
belladonna was employed in combination. The mode of applying 
it was by lotion, composed of giv. of the laurel water, one ounce of 
sulphuric ether, alone, or with half a dram or a dram of extract of 
belladonna. With this lotion the affected parts, previously covered 
with carded cotton or cotton wadding, were kept constantly wet. 

It has likewise been recommended by Elliotson 8 in the cure of 
vomiting, not dependent upon inflammation. 

1 Op. citat., p. 247. 

2 Osann, Op. cit. and Harless Rhein-Westphal. Jahrbuch. Bd. x, St. 1, 
s. 82. 

3 Rust's Magazin, Bd. xxii, S. 335. 

4 Froriep's Notizen, Bd. xiv, No. 15, S. 324. 

6 Heidelberger Klinische Annalen, Bd. ii, S. 112. 

6 Loc. citat., S. 535. 

7 Norlh American Archives, for April, 1835. 

8 Lond. Med. Gazette, 1831, and Amer. Journ. of Med. Sciences, May, 
1831, p. 242. 



10 dunglison's new remedies. 

These are the chief cases in which its internal use has been 
prescribed. 

It has been employed externally in the following cases. 

As a soothing agent in severe pain ; — for example, in toothach from 
caries ; one to two drops, according to Elwert, being put into the 
hollow tooth. Krimer applied it in a dilute state to painful 
wounds, and it has been injected with advantage into fistulae. 

In neuralgia the application of a cataplasm of belladonna and 
hydrocyanic acid has been advised by some. 

In cutaneous affections, of an itching, painful or inflammatory 
nature, it has been used with much success. 

In five cases of obstinate herpes, Schneider used a solution of 
the acid in rectified spirit of wine ; in similar cases Dr. A. T. 
Thomson, besides the use of a purgative of calomel and colocynth, 
applied compresses to the parts wetted with the dilute acid. In 
two cases of impetigo, the local application completely allayed 
the distressing and intolerable itching and tingling, after other ex- 
ternal applications, and the internal use of anodynes had been of 
no avail ; the discharge was diminished and rendered milder by 
it. Alterative doses of mercury, combined with sarsaparilla, formed 
the internal treatment. 1 Dr. Thomson found the lotion useful, in 
combination with small doses of oxymuriate of mercury, in acne 
rosacea, and in several other cutaneous affections. 

In cases of herpes, Magendie advises a lotion of hydrocyanic 
acid and aqua lactucas in the proportion mentioned hereafter. 

The acid has likewise been used, in the form of glyster, in scirrhus 
of the pylorus, in the strength of six drops of Vauquelin's acid to 
eight ounces of water ; 2 and in uterine pain from scirrhus, injections 
of the acid, combined with infusion of belladonna, have been em- 
ployed beneficially. 

In ophthalmia, especially of the scrofulous kind, with engorge- 
ment of the conjunctiva, it has been advised by Elwert 3 — two 
drops of the acid being mixed with a drachm of water, and a little 
dropped frequently into the eye; and it has been given in the 
active inflammatory stage of blennorrhcea. 4 

Lastly, when a portion of taenia has protruded from the rectum, — 
with the view of destroying it, it has been advised by Cagnola, 
Gelnecke, and others, to apply the hydrocyanic acid to it. s 

Such are the principal affections in which the hydrocyanic acid 
has been used. We have often employed it internally in many 

1 London Medical and Physical Journal, Feb. 1822; and the author's edit, 
of Magendie's Formulary, p. 112. Lond. 1824. Philad. 1825. 

2 Bernd, in Rust's Magazin. Bd. xiii, S. 273. 
•Ibid. B. xiii, S. 182. 

< Ibid. B. xxii, S. 228. 

6 Osann, Op. cit., and Gerson und Julius, Magaz. d. Auslandischen Litte- 
ratur der gesammt. Heilkund. B. ii, 177. Also Hufeland und Osann's 
Journal der prakt. Heilkund. Bd. lviii, St. 6, S. 122. See also Richter, Op. 
cit. S. 313. 



ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM. 11 

of the cases recommended, especially in painful affections accompa- 
nied by great nervous impressibility, and in consumption, but 
have not had sufficient reason to place it high in rank amongst 
our medicinal agents. We have certainly had no evidence, that it 
can cure consumption when not beyond its first stage, as remarked 
by Magendie. 1 If the practitioner will bear in mind the effects, 
which the acid is capable of inducing upon healthy man, when the 
dose is carried to the requisite extent, he will have no difficulty 
in deciding upon the cases in which its agency may be appropriate. 
If not a true sedative, it is the nearest approach to one, and therefore 
its employment is clearly indicated in all diseases in which there is 
much erethism, — administered alone or along with other agents of 
the same class. 



MODE OF ADMINISTRATION. 

After the remarks that have been made on the varying strength 
of the hydrocyanic acid, according to the particular form by which 
it may have been prepared, it is hardly necessary to say, that the 
physician must be acquainted with the character of the acid he pre- 
scribes. It has been remarked, that the acid, directed in the Phar- 
macopoeia of the United States, is prepared after Vauquelin's form. 
The ordinary dose of this acid is a drop, given three times a day 
in a little sugared water : it must be borne in mind, however, that 
the specific gravity of the acid is less than that of water, and 
hence the necessity of dropping the quantity of acid at the time of 
using it, rather than forming a mixture with a larger quantity of 
the acid, which will certainly rise to the surface, if the mixture be 
put to one side : and unless the vial is shaken, a much larger dose 
may be administered than was intended. 

It must also be recollected, that the acid loses its strength by 
keeping. Magendie remarks, 2 that when left to itself in a close ves- 
sel, it sometimes becomes decomposed in less than an hour, and 
that it rarely preserves its integrity for more than a fortnight. 

The substances, that are incompatible with it in the same pre- 
scription, are most metallic oxides, particularly those of mercury 
and antimony, nitrate of silver, salts of iron, sulphurets, mineral 
acids and chlorine. 

The proper plan is to begin with a small dose and to augment it 
carefully until some effect is induced, but if any of the signs — men- 
tioned above as indicating the supervention of the sedative effects 
of the acid — should supervene, it ought to be discontinued. 

Magendie, we have seen, uses the hydrocyanic acid of Gay- 
Lussac, diluted with 8.5 times its weight of water ; and this mix- 
ture he denominates medicinal prussic acid. 



1 The author's edit, of the Formulary, p. 108. 

2 Op. citat. p. 104. 



12 dunglison's new remedies. 

The following are forms in which the acid maybe administered. 

Mistura Acidi Hydrocyanici. 

(Melange pectoral.) 

Mixture of hydrocyanic acid. 

5<. Acidi hydrocyanici medicinalis, 3j. 
Aquae distillatae, }fej. 
Sacchari albi, 3 iss. M. 

A dessert spoonful of this is directed to be taken every morning 
and evening at bed time — the dose being gradually increased to 
six or eight spoonfuls in the 24 hours. Magendie. 

B<. Acidi hydrocyanici (Scheele's), TIL xij. 
Liquor, antimon. tartarizat. 3 j. 
Tinct. opii camphoratae, giiss. 
Misturae camphorae, 3 vijss. Fiat mistura. 

Dose — In hooping cough; a table spoonful every four hours for 
a delicate boy four years old, to be given in some warm drink. 
The child to remain in a warm room, and to live upon light pud- 
ding and broth. Roe. 

8i. Acidi hydrocyanici (Scheele's), T\, xx. 
Liquor, antimon. tartarizat. ^iss. 
Vini ipecacuanha?, £iss. 
Aquae, £xiij. Fiat mistura. 

Dose — A small spoonful every two hours for a healthy looking 
female child, five years of age. Roe. 

Syrupus Acidi Hydrocyanici. 

Syrup of hydrocyanic acid. 

£. Syrupi purificat. fej. 

Acidi hydrocyanici medicinalis, Z j- M. 

This syrup may be added to common pectoral mixtures, and used 
as other syrups are. Magendie. 

Lotio Acidi Hydrocyanici. 

Lotion of hydrocyanic acid. 

*. Acidi hydrocyanici, f. £iv. 
Spiritus vini rectif. f. 3j. 
Aqua? distillat. f. 3 xss. M. 

This was the lotion employed by Professor Thomson in the 
cases of impetigo. 

The following was used by Schneider, in herpes. 

!k. Acidi hydrocyanici, 3i 3S - 
Spirit, vini rectif. 3 vi. M. 

And in the same cases, Magendie employed the subjoined 
formula. 



ACIDUM LACTIS. 13 

5<. Acidi hydrocyanici, sjij. 
Aquae lactucse, feij. M. 

The distilled water of the garden lettuce probably contains no- 
thing to recommend it over common distilled water. 

All these formulae are objectionable for the reasons before as- 
signed, and it is consequently better to drop the acid at the time of 
using it, taking care that it has not lost its properties. 



ACIDUM LACTIS. 

Synonymes. Acidura Lacteum, Lactic Acid, Acid of Milk. 
French Acide Lactique. 
German. Milchsaure. 

This acid is recommended as a therapeutical agent by Magendie 
in the last edition of his Formulaire. 1 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Lactic acid may be obtained either from milk or from the juice 
of the red beet. In the latter case, the juice is put in a situation 
the temperature of which is between 77° and 86° Fah. After the 
lapse of a few days, a commotion is observed in the mass, which is 
known under the name " viscous fermentation," (fermentation 
visqueuse,) and hydrogen and carburetted hydrogen are evolved in 
considerable quantity. When the mass has become fluid again, 
and the fermentation has ended, which generally requires about 
two months, it is evaporated to the consistence of syrup ; the whole 
then becomes traversed by a multitude of mannitic crystals, which 
when washed with a small quantity of water and dried, are en- 
tirely pure. 

The mass, moreover, contains a saccharine matter, which affords 
all the signs of the sugar of the grape. 

The product of the evaporation is next treated with alcohol ; 
this dissolves the lactic acid, and precipitates several substances, 
which have not yet been examined. The alcoholic extract is then 
dissolved in water, which occasions a fresh precipitation. The 
liquid is now saturated with carbonate of zinc, and by this means 
a fresh precipitation is effected, more copious than the preceding. 
By concentration, the lactate of zinc shoots into crystals ; which 
are collected and heated in water, to which animal charcoal, pre- 
viously washed in muriatic acid, has been added : the fluid is then 

1 Formulaire pour la preparation et l'emploi de plusieurs nouveaux medi- 
camens, &c. Edit. 9eme. Paris, 1836. 



14 dunglison's new remedies. 

filtered, and the lactate of zinc is deposited in perfectly white crys- 
tals : these are washed in boiling alcohol, in which they are insolu- 
ble ; afterwards they are treated with baryta, and then with sul- 
phuric acid, which separates the lactic acid, which is finally con- 
centrated in vacuo. 1 

Mitscherlich 2 gives the following process for preparing it pure. 
Lactate of lead, formed in the usual way, is decomposed by sul- 
phate of zinc, the sulphate of lead is separated, and the lactate of zinc 
crystallised by evaporation ; this is at first yellow, but by repeated 
crystallisations, it is obtained of a pure white. The solution of this 
lactate is decomposed by pure baryta ; the oxide of zinc separated, 
and the lactate of baryta, which is in solution, is decomposed by 
sulphuric acid, and the fluid evaporated ; this yields a clear, colour- 
less, syrupy, not volatile acid, which is decomposed and leaves a 
residue of charcoal, when heated at a sufficiently high tempera- 
ture. 

Milk, which has been suffered to ferment for a long while, and is 
treated in the same way, affords lactic acid. Corriol has likewise 
detected it in an aqueous infusion of the nux vomica. 

When concentrated in vacuo, until it parts with no more water, 
lactic acid is a colourless liquid, of syrupy consistence ; its specific 
gravity being about 1.215. It is inodorous, but of a very sour 
taste, similar to that of the strongest vegetable acids. When ex- 
posed to the air, it attracts moisture. Water and alcohol dissolve it 
in all proportions. One of its most striking properties, which is of 
especial interest to the physician, is, that it quickly dissolves phos- 
phate of lime, especially that which is contained in bones. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

As lactic acid seems to play a part amongst the juices which 
effect the solution of the food in the stomach, Magendie thinks it 
may be given with advantage in cases of dyspepsia produced by 
simple debility of the digestive apparatus ; and his experiments 
afforded him very encouraging results. In consequence too of the 
facility with which it dissolves the phosphate of lime, it has been 
suggested, whether it might not be administered with advantage in 
cases of white gravel, or, in other words, in phosphatic depositions 
from the urine. Magendie has not yet been able to institute ex- 
periments on this matter. At the time when the edition of his 
Formulary, to which we have referred, was published, he had com- 
menced some clinical experiments with the lactate of potassa and 
the lactate of soda, but without any results worthy of being commu- 
nicated to the profession. He recommends these salts, however, to 
the attention of physicians. 

' Gay Lussac & Pelouze, Annales de Chimie et de Physique, Avril, 1833. 
(Tom. lii. 410.) 

2 Report to British Association, 2d meeting, and Philad. Journ. of Phar- 
macy, vi. 83. Philad. 1834-5. 



ACIDUM PYROLIGNOSUM. 15 

MODE OP ADMINISTRATION. 

Magendie gives the lactic acid either in the form of femonade or 
of lozenges. 

Potus Acidi Lactis. 

Lemonade of lactic acid. 

*. Acid. lact. liquid. £j. ad giv. 
Aquae, ftij. 
Syrupi 3 5ij. M. 

Pastilli Acidi Lactis. 

Lozenges of lactic acid. 

It. Acid. lact. pur. £ij. 
Sacch. pulv. ^j. 
Gum. tragac. q. s. 
01. aether, vanigl. gtt. iv. M. 

Make into lozenges, weighing half a drachm each. 

Let the lozenges be kept in a well closed vessel. Of these } from 
two to six may be taken in the 24 hours without any evil conse- 
quences. 



ACIDUM PYROLIGNOSUM. 

Svnonymes. Acidum Pyro-aceticum, Acidum Ligni pyro-oleosum, Acidum 
aceticum empyreumaticum, Acetum ligneum, Pyroligneous and Pyrolig- 
nic acid. 

French. Acide pyro-acetique, A. pyrolignique, A. pyroligneux, Vinaigre 
de bois. 

German. Brenzliche oder brandige Holssaure ; Holzsaure; Holzessig. 

The pyroligneous acid, although brought much into notice — 
revived as it were — in recent times, is by no means the product of 
those times exclusively. The cedria, with which the Egyptians 
embalmed the bodies of the dead, it is presumed, was identical with 
it. Pliny recommends cedria, or the oil of tar, got from the cedar, 
in toothach, 1 and Galen unites with him. 2 The virtues of the 
pyroligneous acid are often also referred to by Boerhaave. 3 

METHOD OP PREPARING. 

The pyroligneous acid is prepared in chemical laboratories by 
the dry distillation of wood, especially of hard wood, which is 

1 Hist. Nat. xxxiv. 11. 

2 De Simpl. Medic. Facult. lib. vii. See Cormack on Creosote, p. 59. 
Edinb. 1836; or the American edit, in Dunglison's American Medical 
Library. 

s Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel. u. s. w. S. 6. Stuttgart, 1837. 



16 dunglison's new remedies. 

placed in an iron retort heated to redness. First of all, there passes 
over a light brown or greenish fluid, which contains some empy- 
reumatic oil ; to this succeeds the pyroligneous acid, which is 
formed during distillation. Tf the distillation be continued, more 
empyreumatic oil passes over, and lastly tar. 

The chief constituent of the pyroligneous acid is vinegar, which 
can be deprived of its empyreumatic constituents by rectification 
with fine porous animal charcoal. Besides this vinegar, it contains 
empyreumatic oil, (pyrelain ;) empyreumatic resin, (pyrretin,) a 
peculiar matter containing azote, and similar to an extract, (an 
empyreumatic extract,) and spirit of tar, (spiritus pyrolignicus.) 
Of late years, Reichenbach has discovered in it a new substance, 
creosote; 1 which seems to be the most important ingredient, its 
medicinal efficacy appearing to be dependent upon that substance. 

Impure pyroligneous acid is of a brownish colour, and of an acid 
smoky smell and taste. This is the preparation which is generally 
used externally ; but, by chemical means, the acid may be purified 
so as to furnish the acidum pyrolignosum rectification. This 
differs from the impure pyroligneous acid in containing less empy- 
reumatic resin and extract, and creosote. The London College again 
prepare from it a stronger acid, the acidum aceticum fortius, 
which is extremely volatile and pungent, and is used as a revellent. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

From experiments instituted on animals, it would appear, that 
the administration of the pyroligneous acid in large doses, occasions 
vomiting of a considerable quantity of a frothy fluid smelling 
strongly of the acid; tremors of the limbs, convulsions, tetanus, 
protrusion of the eyes, insensibility, paralysis of the limbs, dyspnoea 
croupy cough, hoarseness, &c. The death of the animal supervenes 
with symptoms of suffocation, and the fatal termination is often 
rapidly induced. Inspection after death exhibits manifest venous 
congestion in the brain, spinal marrow, lungs, liver, and spleen, 
and in the right side of the heart, with, at times, inflammation of 
the stomach. According to Berres, it occasions markedly narcotic 
effects. In by no means considerable doses, he found it to cause 
violent pain in the stomach and bowels, nausea and vomiting, 
general weakness, heaviness, vertigo, convulsions, and even death, 
without exhibiting any marked effect upon the vascular system. 
In smaller doses, it is said to produce a sensation of burning in the 
stomach, and after a time to quicken the pulse, and augment the 
cutaneous and renal depurations. Others — and the best observers, 
we think— deny it any narcotic properties. 2 

As an antiseptic, its efficacy is undoubted, and this has been long 
known. The creosote is, doubtless, the main agent in producing 

1 See the article Creosote. 

* Richler's Specielle Therapie. S. 255, Berlin, 1828. 



ACIDUM PYROLIGNOSUM. 17 

this result, and wherever the internal administration of creosote is 
indicated, the use of the pyroligneous acid will be proper. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Possessed of the properties described above, the pyroligneous 
acid was at once suggested in cases of gangrene and sphacelus, in 
which it was successfully used, as well as in cachectic conditions 
brought on by the misuse of mercury, and in herpetic, flabby, 
fungous and sloughing ulcers; in porrigo, and in toothach pro- 
duced by caries, the acid being dropped upon cotton and applied to 
the hollow tooth. In most of these cases, it was generally exhibited 
both internally and externally. Numerous experiments have been 
made with it in various affections by different observers ; but its 
use has been more especially extolled in cases of gangrene, in 
which it corrects foetor, and promotes the separation of the dead 
parts. 1 The physicians of the Berlin Charite experimented with 
it in cases of sloughing gangrenous sores with such success, that 
they pronounced it an antiseptic of the highest order. 2 Besides the 
cases mentioned, it has been advised in excoriated nipples, mixed 
with white of egg, 3 in cancerous and scrophulous affections, in 
cancrum oris, in caries of the bones, and as a gargle in scarlet fever. 
It has, moreover, been recommended by Buchanan 4 in deafness 
caused by deficient secretion of the cerumen of the ear, and in 
discharges of an offensive character from the meatus auditorius, 
as well as from other outlets; in chronic inflammation of the tarsal 
edges of the eyelids, and in scabies. In gastromalacia it has been 
recommended by Pitschaft 5 and Teufel ; 6 in phthisis by Harless, 
and in dropsy, diarrhoea, putrid nervous fevers, &c. by Ampach; 7 
yet, as was before remarked, it is rarely employed internally ; 
indeed, both externally and internally, it has been greatly sup- 
planted by creosote. 

MODE OF ADMINISTRATION. 

The inequality in the strength of the preparation renders it 
difficult to fix upon any precise dose. Of the impure pyroligneous 
acid, Sachs administered from five to thirty drops three or four 
times a day, in simple or aromatic water. 

Externally, it is applied both in a pure and dilute state; in 

1 Dr. T. Y. Simons, in American Journal of the Medical Sciences, vol. v. 

2 V. A. Riecke, Op. cit. S. 9. 

3 Dr. Bursharat, in Gazette Medicale, and Amer. Journ. of the Medical 
Sciences, Feb. 1833, p. 503. 

* Illustrations of Acoustic Surgery, Lond. 1825. 
s Med. Chirurg. Zeitung, No. 7, 1825. 

6 Annal. fur die gesammte Heilkund. unter der Redact, d. Mitglied. der 
Badensch. Sanitatsk. 2ter Jahrg. 1825. 

7 Rust's Magazin, B. xvi, H. 2. S. 353, and Richter, Op. cit. B. x. S. 257, 
Berlin, 1828. 

5 — e dungl 2 



18 dunglison's new remedies. 

the former case to ulcers, by means of a pencil, several times in the 
day. It is generally diluted with simple water; but in cases of 
cancrum oris, sugared water has commonly formed the diluent. It 
is also applied at times in the way of cataplasm. As a wash in 
porrigo, and as an injection, it may be diluted with six or eight 
parts of water ; as a collyrium, the proportion may be one part of 
the acid to twelve of water, and it may be employed, of about the 
same strength, as a gargle. 

Heim has recommended the following application in cancrum 
oris. 

Mel acidl pyrolignosi. 

Honey of pyroligneous acid. 

$. Acid, pyrolignosi crud. ^iss. 
Mellis rosati, 5j. M. 

To be applied by means of a pencil. 

Buchanan advises the following form of injection in cases of 
purulent discharges from the meatus auditorius. 

Injectio acidi pyrolignosi. 

Injection of pyroligneous acid. 

£. Acid, pyrolignos. gij. 

Aquae distilfatse, §vj. M. 

Fiat injectio bis die utenda. 

The following drops he recommends in cases where the cerumen 
is deficient in quantity. 

Guttce. acidi pyrolignosi. 

Drops of pyroligneous acid. 

5<. Acidi pyrolignos. crud. 
Olei. terebinth, rectif. 
Sp. setheris sulphur, corap. aa. partes sequales. M. 

Two drops of this compound are to be dropped every night into 
the meatus auditorius. 

Cataplasma acidi pyrolignosi. 

Cataplasm of pyroligneous acid. 

5*. Furfur, ftss. 

Pulv. sem. lin. §j. M. bene et adde 

Acid, pyrolignosi crud. q. s. ut fiat cataplasma. 

To be applied in cases of foul ulcers. 

Linimentum acidi pyrolignosi. 
Liniment of pyroligneous acid. 

&. Acid, pyrolignos. §ss. 
Balsam, peruv. Jij. 
Vitell. ovi, q. s. ut fiat linimentum. 

To be applied on lint three times a day to sloughs in ulcers. 



ACONITINUM. 19 

Collator iurn acidi jpyrolignosi. 

Mouth-wash of pyroligneous acid. 

5<. Acid, pyrolignos. rectif. §ss. 
Aquae cinnamomi simpl. §iv. 
Syrup, moror. 3 i j . M. 

Dr. Phobus advises this as a wash for the mouth in cases of 
cancrum oris. It should be kept in a glass vessel covered with 
black paper to prevent decomposition. 



ACONITINUM. 

Synonymes. Aconitia, Aconita, Aconitine. 
German. Akonitin. 

This active principle, which was discovered by Peschier, 1 and 
by Brandes, has been recommended of late by Turnbull, 2 whose 
eulogies on the medical virtues of the natural order Ranunculacece 
are evidently overstrained. 



MODE OF PREPARING. 

Turnbull gives two processes ; the former being the more easy 
of manipulation ; the latter yielding a purer result, and on the 
whole being preferable. 

A quantity of the fresh root of the aconitum napellus, very care- 
fully and cautiously dried and reduced to powder, — one part of it 
by weight, and two parts by measure, of strong alcohol, are to be 
digested together at a gentle heat for seven days, and the tincture, 
whilst warm, is to be filtered. It must then be reduced to the 
consistence of an extract, by careful evaporation, at a low and well 
regulated temperature; the object of this being to prevent the 
destruction or expulsion of the active principle, which would very 
probably ensue, if the temperature employed were higher than 
barely sufficient to carry off the alcohol. To the extract, thus 
prepared, liquid ammonia is to be added, drop by drop, and mixed 
well with it, to precipitate the alcaloid ; in this part of the process 
care must be taken that too much be not added, as in some 
instances the product appears to have been decomposed by inatten- 
tion to this circumstance. It is not easy to give a precise rule as 
to the quantity; but enough will have been added, if the extract 

1 TrommsdorPs Journal der Pharmacie, v. 81. 

2 On tlic medical properties of the natural order Ranunculacere, and more 
particularly on the uses of sahadilla seeds, delphinium staphysajjria jiod 
aconitum napellus, and their alcaloids, veratria, sahadilline delnhinia and 
aconitine, chap. iii. Lond. 1835. 



20 dunglison's new remedies. 

exhales the odour of ammonia when stirred. The mass now con- 
sists of impure aconitine, mixed with a quantity of extractive, and 
other matters soluble in water, and it. may be taken up either by 
boiling alcohol, or by sulphuric ether ; or the soluble matter may 
be removed by repeated washings with small quantities of cold 
water, which will leave the aconitine. This latter process, Turn- 
bull says, is the one he has generally employed, and it is performed 
by pouring a little water on the extract, and" mixing them carefully 
together ; then allowing the undissolved part to subside, pouring 
off the fluid, and repealing the operation as long as any soluble 
matter is taken up; a quantity of light brown or gray powder is 
left, which may be purified by subsequent solution in alcohol. 
This powder contains the active properties of the aconite, in a high 
degree of concentration. 

The second process consists in dissolving the alcoholic extract, 
prepared as' above, without the addition of the ammonia, in as 
much cold water as will take it up, and carefully decanting the 
solution from the insoluble part, and filtering - it. To the filtered 
solution liquid ammonia is to be added, drop by drop, as long as 
any precipitation is occasioned. When the precipitate has subsided, 
the supernatant fiuid must be carefully poured off, or drawn off' by 
means of a syphon ; and after the precipitate has been deprived of 
as much of the fluid as possible, it should be purified by a sufficient 
number of washings with small quantities of cold water, or, what 
is better, it may be dissolved in as much alcohol as will take it up, 
and the solution thrown into cold water ; the precipitate thus 
formed is to be carefully dried. The product obtained by this pro- 
cess is white. 

Well prepared aconitine, according to Geiger, is a firm, colour- 
less, and translucent mass : of a shining appearance, friable and 
inodorous : the taste is disagreeably bitter, leaving behind it an 
acrid sensation in the throat, but not corrosive or burning. The 
aconitine does not dissolve readily in water ; at the ordinary tempe- 
rature it requires one hundred and fifty parts thereof, but only 
fifty parts of boiling water. Tincture of iodine occasions in the 
solution a reddish brown precipitate; the tincture of galls a white 
one. It forms, with the acids, for the most part, salts that are not 
crystallisable. which readily dissolve both in water and spirit of 
wine. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The effects of aconitine appear to be essentially analogous to 
those of delphinine. A grain of the first of the two preparations 
described by Turnbull, was dissolved in a dram of alcohol : 
twenty drops of the solution put into the mouth of a guineapig 
occasioned death in a few minutes. Other experiments, too, have 
been performed, all of which demonstrate the extreme activity of 
the substance. If a grain or two of aconitine or veratrine or 



ACONITINUM. 21 

delphinine be mixed up with a little lard, or dissolved in a dram of 
alcohol, and a small quantity be rubbed on the skin, a sensation of 
heat and tingling is experienced after the friction has been perse- 
vered in for a minute or two. There is a slight difference, however, 
in the effects produced, and the resemblance is greatest between 
those of the delphinine and the aconitine. 

When a small quantity of aconitine, says Turnbull, either made 
into an ointment, or dissolved in alcohol, is rubbed for a minute or 
two upon the skin, a sensation of heat and pricklins - is experienced; 
to this succeeds a feeling of numbness and constriction in the part, 
as if a heavy weight were laid upon it, or as if the skin were drawn 
together, by the powerful and involuntary contraction of the mus- 
cles beneath. This effect lasts from two or three to twelve or more 
hours, according to the quantity rubbed in. So small a portion as 
the one hundredth part of a grain has produced a sensation that 
has continued a whole day. 

Whilst employing the aconite itself in his clinical practice, Dr. 
Lombard, 1 of Geneva, tried its effects on animals, and chiefly in 
reference to its action on the heart. The experiments were made 
on frogs, whose hearts beat with great regularity, and for a consi- 
derable time after the animal has been mutilated. The medicine 
was introduced into the stomach or applied locally to the heart, 
which was laid bare after the animal had been stupified by blows 
on the head. He found, that the aconite employed internally 
rendered the pulsations less frequent, without irregularity, and 
consequently that it exerted a decidedly sedative effect on the heart; 
whence he infers, that it is a proper remedy in active diseases of 
the heart, and indeed in inflammatory affections in general, in 
which he exhibited it with success. In cases of poisoning by it, 
the contractions of the heart have been found diminished, and 
almost suspended, 2 and the homceopathists regard it to be an 
energetic antiphlogistic. 

The diseases in which Turnbull chiefly employed aconitine 
externally, were of the neuralgic kind; but he used it as well in 
gouty and rheumatic cases, and its success, he remarks, fully 
answered his anticipations. He employs it either in the form of 
solution in alcohol, in the proportion of one or more grains to the 
dram, — or of ointment, made according to the following formula: 

*. Aconiiini, gr. ij. 

Alcohol, gtt. vj. Tere optime 

et adde Axungise, 3j. ut fiat unguentum. 

The alcohol is added to prevent the aconitine from forming a 
thick compound with part of the lard, so as to render it difficult to 
make a proper ointment. In one case of tic douloureux, of extreme 
severity, as much as eight grains was prescribed in the ointment 

1 Gazette Medicale de Paris, Oct. 10, 1835. 

2 Orfila, Toxicologie, ii. 221. 



22 dunglison's new remedies. 

with the most marked benefit. The best mode of applying it is 
simply to rub a small portion of it over the whole seat of the 
affection, until the pain is either for the time removed, or until the 
full effect, described above, is induced on the cutaneous nerves, 
atid the friction should be repeated three or four times, or more 
frequently, during the day, according to the effect on the disease ; 
the proportion of the aconitine being increased at every second or 
third rubbing. 

Turnbull found, in the case of the aconitine — as well as in that of 
the veratrine, and the delphinine, — that unless the friction occa- 
sioned a full development of the peculiar impressions caused by the 
aconitine, when rubbed on the skin, no benefit whatever was to be 
looked for from its employment; and he observes, that if there be 
the slightest abrasion of the skin, an application of such activity 
should not be resorted to; and that it should be carefully kept 
from coming in contact with any of the mucous membranes. 

Mr. F. C. Skey 1 details two cases which were cured by it. It 
was rubbed down into an ointment with lard, in the proportion of 
one grain of the former to one dram of the latter, and applied in a 
small quantity by the forefinger over the track of the painful 
nerve, and was gently rubbed or rather smeared over the surface 
for half a minute or longer, once or twice a day, according to the 
decree of pain. 

Turnbull likewise advises the external application of an ammo- 
niated extract of aconite, which is made by evaporating very 
carefully, and at a low temperature, the tincture of the dried root 
of the plant, prepared as directed in the process for obtaining 
aconitine, to the cpnsistence of an extract. To every dram of this, 
eight or ten drops of liquor ammoniae should be added, and after 
the mixture has stood a short time in a very gentle heat, to drive 
Dffthe excess of ammonia, it may be used in the form of an oint- 
ment, according to the following prescription : 

S<. Ext. aconif. amnion. 3j. 

Axung. giij. Misce ut fiat unguentum. 

When this ointment is rubbed upon the skin, it occasions sensa- 
tions in the part similar to those produced by the aconitine oint- 
ment; they are, however, rather more pungent. 

In less severe cases, Turnbull advises the simple saturated tinc- 
ture of the dried roots, with or without the addition of a little 
ammonia. 

The alcoholic extract of aconite has likewise been advised by 
Dr. Lombard, of Geneva, 2 in articular rheumatism. He gives it in 
doses of half a grain every two hours, and gradually augments the 
dose to six or nine grains in the same period. 

1 London Med. Gaz. Nov. 5, 1836. 

2 Gazette Medicale, Juin 28, 1S34. See, a!so, Dr. Sigmond, in Lancet for 
August 5, 1837. 



23 



ACUPUNCTURA. 



Synonymes. Acupuncture; Acupuncturation. 
German. Die Akupunktur; der Nadelstich. 

Although acupuncturation is really an ancient therapeutical 
agent, attention to it has been so much revived of late years, and 
its use has been so largely extended, that it may be looked upon 
as constituting one of the novelties of therapeutics. 

It consists in the introduction of needles into different parts of 
the body with the view of removing or mitigating disease ;• and 
appears to have been entirely unknown to the Grecian, Roman, 
and Arabian physicians. 1 From the most ancient times, however, 
it has been in use with the Chinese and Japanese, by whom it was 
regarded as one of the most important of remedial agencies. By 
these people it was systematically taught on appropriate phantoms 
or mannekins, called Tsoe-Bosi, and the practice of the operation 
was permitted to those only who were able to pass a rigid exami- 
nation thereon. In Europe, it was first known about 156 years 
ago, from the writings of a Dutch surgeon, Ten-Rhyne, who wrote 
in 16S3 ; 2 and attention was subsequently drawn to it by Kampfer ; 3 
but after this it was almost forgotten, until Berlioz, in 1816, drew 
attention to its employment. His example was soon followed by 
Beclard, 4 Bretonneau, 5 Hainie, 6 Demours, 7 Sarlandiere, 8 Pelletan, 
Segalas, Dantu, Velpeau, Meyranx, 9 Dance, in France; by 
Churchill, Scott, Elliotson, 10 and others, in England ; by Fried- 
rich, 11 Bernstein, 12 L. W. Sachs, Heyfelder, Michaelis, 13 ' Grafe, 14 
and others, in Germany; by Carraro, 15 Bergamaschi, 16 Bellini, 

1 V. A. Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel u. s. w. S. 12, Stuttgart, 1837. 

2 Mantissa schematica de acupunctura ad dissert, de arthritide. London, 
1683. 

3 A race ni tat. exotic, politico-physico-medic. p. 583. Lemgov. 1712; and 
his History of Japan, vol. ii. Appendix, sect. 4, p. 34. 

4 Mem. de la Societe Medic. d'Emulaiion, viii. 575. 

5 Journal Universel des Sciences Med. xiii. 35. Paris, 1817. 

6 Journal Gener. de Medec. torn. xiii. and Journal Univers. des Sciences 
Medic, torn. xiii. 1819. 

7 Ibid. torn. xv. 

8 Mem. sur 1'Electropuncture. Paris, 1825. 

9 Archives Generales de Med. torn. vii. Paris, 1825. 

10 Med. Chir. Trans, xiii. 467. Lond. 1827; and art. Acupuncture, in 
Cyclop. Pract. Med. Lond. 1832. 

" Translation of Churchill's work in German, p. 40. 
" Hufeland's Journal, lxvii. Berlin, 1828. 

13 Grafe und Walther's Journal. B. v. St. 3. S. 552. 

14 Grafe, in art. Acupunctur, in Encyc. Wurterb. der medicinisch. Wissen- 
schaft. B. i. S. 312. Berlin, 1828. 

16 Annali Universali d'Omodei, 1825. 
16 Ibid. 1826. 



24 dunglison's new remedies. 

and others, in Italy ; and by Ewing, 1 E. J. Coxe, 2 Bache, 3 and 
others, in this country. 

M. Jules Cloquet had much to do in reviving its employment in 
his own country and elsewhere, by his treatise on the subject pub- 
lished at Paris, in 1826, where it was for a long period a fashionable 
article in the hospitals ; so much so. it is affirmed, that attempts 
were even made to heal a fractured bone by it without the applica- 
tion of any appropriate apparatus ! and at one time, it is said, the 
patients in one of the hospitals actually revolted against the 
piqueurs medecins!* 

MODE OF ADMINISTRATION. 

In the operation of acupuncture, needles are employed, which are 
very fine, well polished and sharp pointed. They are usually from 
two to four inches long, the length being adapted to the depth it 
may be desired to make them penetrate. If steel needles are se- 
lected, they are heated to redness, and allowed to cool slowly, in 
order that they may be less brittle. At the blunt extremity of the 
needle, a head of lead or sealingwax is attached to prevent, it from 
being forced entirely into the body. This is the simplest method 
of acupuncturation, and it is as effectual as any other. By various 
acupuncturists, needle-holders or handles of ivory have been devised, 
to some of which the needle is permanently attached. Perhaps the 
porte-aiguille or needle-holder recommended by Dr. F. Bache, 5 of 
this city is as good as any that has been invented. The needle, 
with its p or te- aiguille, consists of a handle with a steel socket to 
receive the end of the needle, which may be fixed securely, after 
having been inserted, by the pressure of a small lateral screw. By 
this construction, the operator can at pleasure fix in the handle a 
needle of such length as he may desire, and after inserting it he is 
enabled to detach the handle by relaxing the screw. After all, 
however, needles prepared in the simple manner mentioned above, 
are adequate to every useful purpose. 

Besides the common steel needles, those of gold, silver, and pla- 
tina have been used, but it does not appear that one metal is pre- 
ferable to another. 

To introduce the needle, the skin is stretched, and the needle in- 
serted by a movement of rotation performed in opposite directions, 
aided by gentle pressure. As a rule, the seat of pain will indicate 
the place where the needle should be introduced ; but where the 
feelings of the patient do not indicate the spot, it must be suggested 
by our knowledge of anatomy and physiology. From the experi- 
ments of Beclard, Bretonneau, Segalas, Dantu, Velpeau, and others. 

1 North Amer. Med. and Surg. Journal, ii. 77. Philad. 1826. 

2 Ibid. ii. 276. Philad. 1S26. 

3 Ibid. i. 311. Philad. 1326: and art. Acupuncture, in Cyclop, of Pract. 
Med. i. 200. Philad. 1833. 

« Riecke, Op. cit. S. 13. 
5 Cyclop, p. 202. 



ACTJPUNCTURA. 25 

it would appear, that perforation of arteries, nerves, and even of im- 
portant viscera with very fine needles has not been followed by 
any injurious results; yet, at times, accidents have been produced 
thereby ; and, therefore, it may be laid down as a rule, that the 
greater nerves, and arteries of a certain size, should be avoided. 
Prudence would likewise suggest, that important viscera, as the 
heart, stomach, intestines, &c. should not be penetrated. 

The number of needles to be used varies according to the extent 
of the affected parts. In the opinion of many experienced physi- 
cians, we ought not to be afraid of the number, but rather insert 
too many than too few^ and not at too great a distance from each 
other. 

The length of time, during which the needle should be suffered 
to remain in the part, differs ; no fixed rule can be laid down. Some 
suffer them to remain for an hour and a half or two hours ; at 
times, a period of five minutes is sufficient. In other cases, they 
have been kept in for two or three days. It appears to be by no 
means settled what medicinal influence is exerted by their longer 
or shorter continuance in the parts. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

We have already alluded to the impunity with which, in the 
generality of cases, acupuncturation may be practised even on im- 
portant organs. 

As respects the nerves, Cloquet has seldom or never seen the 
puncture of them give rise to so much pain as to render it necessary 
to withdraw the needles ; the pain was generally trifling and 
speedily passed away. He inserted needles into the brain and 
spinal marrow, and into the crural nerve of a cat, without any 
evidence of severe suffering or of change of function. Similar ex- 
periments were made by E. Grafe with the same results. 1 

Nor was inconvenience found by Delaunay, Beclard and Cloquet 
to be sustained in puncturing the arteries and veins. A few drops 
of blood perhaps issued, and the flow was readily stopped by pres- 
sure with the finger. The slight ecchymosis, which, at times, su- 
pervened, disappeared rapidly of itself. In Grafe's experiments, he 
never found much bleeding to ensue, although he properly esteemed 
it advisable to keep clear of the nerves and blood vessels, in order 
to avoid any unnecessary pain or mischief. 

As regards the fasciae and periosteum, Grafe found, that the in- 
sertion of needles into them was always very painful, and he re- 
commends, therefore, that the operation should be performed with 
care on those parts. Should, however, the needles be introduced, 
and much pain be experienced, it rapidly ceases when they are 
withdrawn. 

Lastly — MM. Haime, Br&onneau, Velpeau, and Meyranx, in- 

1 Art. Acupunctur, in Encyc. Worterb. u. s. w. S. 317. Berlin. 1828. 



26 dunglison's new remedies. 

stituted several experiments on dogs by passing needles into the 
brain, heart, lungs, stomach, &c. and little or no inconvenience, as 
we have remarked above, was experienced, provided the needles 
were extremely fine. Cloquet passed his needles so deeply into the 
chest of an animal as to leave no doubt that they had penetrated the 
lungs, and he subsequently pierced the liver, stomach, and testicles 
without the supervention of any unpleasant results. 

The pain occasioned by acupuncturation is generally easily 
tolerated, but at times it is so violent, that the patients cry out ; the 
violence, however, usually passes away either when the needle is 
drawn out or forced in deeper. It would seem that the operation 
is, as a general rule, most successful when it occasions the least 
pain. Cloquet asserts, that a kind of electric shock is sometimes 
experienced in the surrounding parts at the moment of the intro- 
duction of the needle ; in other cases, a tremulous motion is ob- 
servable in the fibres of the muscles penetrated. Almost always, 
some time after the entrance of the needles, a more or less regular 
areola or halo of a red colour, and without tumefaction, is percep- 
tible around the needles, which soon disappears after they are 
withdrawn ; but when they are suffered to remain long in the part 
it may persist for hours. 

When the operation is productive of benefit, relief is speedily 
experienced. 

The extraction of the steel needles is ordinarily accompanied by 
more pain than their insertion, especially if they have penetrated 
deeply, and been retained in the flesh for a long time. The diffi- 
culty is owing to their having become oxidised, and consequently 
rough on the surface. In withdrawing them, it is advisable to 
give them a movement of rotation, and at the same time to press 
upon the skin surrounding them with the thumb and index 
finger. 

In the hospitals of St. Louis, La Pitie, and Hotel Dieu. of Paris, 
acupuncturation was practised some thousands of times, and in 
every case, according to Guersent, without the occurrence of any 
thing unpleasant. Pelletan, however, affirms, that he saw it on 
four occasions followed by slight faintness at the hospital St Louis, 
but none of the cases assumed the characters of full syncope. 
Gautier de Claubry has frequently seen faintness, febrile move- 
ments, spasm, and insupportable pain produced by it, and Heyfelder 
saw it followed by convulsions and fainting. Beclard has related 
a case where the needle penetrated to the bone, and occasioned in- 
tense pain. The patient remained a long time faint, and afterwards 
violent delirium ensued, which gradually ceased in the course of 
the day, and was followed by great debility. Subsequently, an ab- 
scess formed in the part in which the operation was practised. 

As to the modus operandi of acupuncturation, we cannot con- 
ceive its effects to be any thing more than the new nervous im- 
pression, produced by the needle in the parts which it penetrates. 
The needles having been found oxidised, especially at the point, it 



ACUPUNCTURA. 27 

has been supposed by some that the oxidation is connected with the 
remedial agency, and it has been even affirmed, that in some diseases 
they oxidise more readily than in others. 1 It is a sufficient reply 
to this view, that beneficial results are obtained from the use of 
needles made of metals that do not become oxidised, and that the 
steel needles oxidise in the sound as well as in the diseased body, 
and even in parts that have been removed from the body, and placed 
in warm water ; for in the cold dead body, it is affirmed, the phe- 
nomenon is not observed. Cloquet and Pelletan think, from their 
experiments, that the effects of acupunrtu ration are a consequence 
of the development of the nervous fluid — which they liken to the 
galvanic — around the needles; a view which is denied by Pouillet 
and Beclard, but adopted in a modified form by Dr. Bache, 2 who 
throws ont the conjecture, "that in many cases of local pain this 
accumulation of the nervous (electrical) fluid depends upon the al- 
tered state of the various fasciae or condensed sheets of tissue, giving 
them the power, to a certain extent, of insulating the parts which 
they serve to embrace." The explanation is ingenious, but we do 
not think it necessary, if adequate, to explain the phenomena. We 
have no doubt, that the effects are owing to a concentration of the 
nervous power towards the part transfixed by the needle, so that a 
derivation of the nervous influx is induced towards the seat of pain 
or towards the nerves particularly concerned in the production of 
the pain ; but further than this we know not. 

There is one phenomenon, by the way, which is dependent on 
the oxidation of the needle. When the free extremity of an in- 
serted needle is connected with the ground by means of a conduct- 
ing substance, or is put in connection with a soft part of the pa- 
tient's body, it becomes the seat of a galvanic current, which is 
exhibited by the multiplier of Schweiger. That this phenomenon 
is dependent upon the oxidation of the metal is proved by the cir- 
cumstance, that it does not take place when an unoxidisable metal 
is employed. 3 

Acupuncturation has been used by Berlioz 4 in gouty and rheu- 
matic cases ; by Haime in rheumatic, spasmodic, and convulsive 
affections, and by Demours in amaurosis and ophthalmia, the 
needles being inserted in the temples ; Finch advised it in an- 
asarca practised on the feet ; he also discharged, in this way, the 
fluid of ascites. 5 Pipelet 6 employed it advantageously in a violent 
convulsive affection. The needles did not remove or markedly 
diminish the symptoms, but they postponed their recurrence. 
Michael is 7 cured a case of rheumatism by it, but he did not find it 

1 Grafe loc. cit. S. 319. 

2 Op. citat. 305. 

3 Riecke, S. 16. 

* Op. citat. Paris, 1816. 

5 Lond. Med. Repos. Mar. 1823. 

8 Journal Complern. du Diet, des Sciences Medic, t. xvi. 1823. 

7 Grafe und Walther's Journal, B. v. St. 3. 



2S dunglison's new remedies. 

so serviceable in oedema of the feet, as the fluid would not flow 
readily through the minute apertures. Priederich proposed, that in 
cases of asphyxia, when every other remedy had been employed 
unsuccessfully, the cavities of the heart should be penetrated by a 
needle to excite its contraction, and this plan was subsequently ad- 
vised by Carraro, 1 who found, from his experiments on cats, that 
they could in this way be resuscitated after drowning, when every 
manifestation of vitality had ceased. His experiments, however, 
when repeated by Dr. E. J. Coxe, 2 of Philadelphia, were not found 
to succeed. J. Cloquet obtained the happiest results from acu- 
puncturation in neuralgia, rheumatism, muscular contractions, 
spasms, pleurodyne, cephalalgia, ophthalmia, toothach, epilepsy, 
gout, gastrodynia, contusions, lumbago, periodical amaurosis, diplo- 
pia, paralysis, &c. 

It is in rheumatic affections that its success has been most 
marked. Dr. Elliotson 3 cured 30 out of 42 cases by it in St. 
Thomas's hospital. In sciatica its efficacy has been evident. 4 

By Velpeau it has been proposed to cure aneurism by acupunc- 
turation. In performing some experiments on animals he found, 
that arteries punctured by the needle became the seat of a coagu- 
lum, and were ultimately obliterated. In 1830, he read a paper 
before the Academie des Sciences, of Paris, proposing the opera- 
tion in the cases in question. 5 He found in his experiments, that 
whenever the needle remained three days in the flesh, the trans- 
fixed artery was completely obliterated. 

M. Bonnet, Chirurgien-en-chef to the Hotel Dieu at Lyons, 6 has 
affirmed, that he treated eleven cases of varicose veins by introduc- 
ing pins through their cavities, and allowing them to remain there 
some time. Nine of these cases were cured. The same treatment 
was applied to herniary sacs. He passed three or four pins through 
the herniary envelopes close to the inguinal ring, and in order that 
they might exert a certain degree of compression, as well as of irri- 
tation, on the sac, he twisted the points and heads upwards so as 
to give them a circular direction. The inflammation and pain 
usually commenced on the third or fourth day after the operation, 
and the pins were removed a few days afterwards. M. Bonnet had 
treated four cases of inguinal hernia by acupuncturation. In two, 
the hernia was small, and three weeks sufficed for the cure : the 
third was more troublesome. 

Caution is of course requisite not to injure the spermatic cord. 

1 Annal. univ. diMedicin. 1825. 

2 North Amer. Med. and Surg. Journal, ii. 292. 

3 Art. Acupuncture, Cyclop, pract. Med.; Load. 1832. 

4 Renton, in Edinb. Med. and Surg. Joum. for 1830, xxxiv, 100, and Dr. 
Graves in Lond. Med. Gaz. July, 1831, and Lond. Med. and Surg. Journal, 
April, 1833. 

* Lond. Med. Gaz. and Amer. Journal Med. Sciences, Aug. 1831, p. 510. 
6 Bulletin Generale de Therapeutique, and Dunglison's American Intelli- 
gencer, for Dec. 1, 1837, p. 317. 



ACUPUNCTURA. 29 

Of late, acupuncturation has been revived 1 in the treatment of 
hydrocele by Mr. Lewis, Mr. King, 2 and others. 

It consists in carrying a common sewing needle — of the size used 
for sewing a button to a shirt — through the skin, the dartos and 
cremaster, into the bag containing the fluid, so that a drop of the 
fluid follows the instrument as it is withdrawn. It is executed in 
nearly the same manner as the ordinary method of tapping with 
a trocar, except that the needle, which should be oiled, cannot be 
plunged in so easily as that instrument. Mr. King suggests that 
the needle should be fixed in a handle, by which means it can be 
made to enter with comparative facility. After the operation, a 
compress, moistened with a discutient lotion, may be kept on the 
scrotum, and the patient may walk about or remain at rest, as may 
best suit him. 

The phenomena which present themselves in a few hours are as 
follows : — the swelling begins to be less circumscribed, and to lose 
its tenseness, and the cellular tissue of the scrotum becomes gradu- 
ally more and more infiltrated with the fluid, which before dis- 
tended the tunica vaginalis, and which, in the space of from twenty- 
four to forty-eight hours, will, according to Mr. King, have entirely 
changed place. In five or six days, the infiltration disappears, and 
the patient is cured. 

Mr. Lewis first introduced the method as a palliative cure, but 
he has seen cases where a radical cure was effected by it. 3 He 
considers the principle of puncturing with a fine pointed needle not 
only applicable to promote the absorption of the fluid in hydrocele, 
but in every case of encysted dropsy. 4 

We have already referred to the use of acupuncturation in 
anasarca. We have used it advantage ouslyin these cases to drain 
off the fluid from the cellular membrane; in such cases larger 
needles are needed ; some prefer them to be of the size of an ordinary 
glover's needle, and of a triangular shape ; a puncture of this kind 
being less likely to close. 5 

In the mass of cases, it need scarcely be said, this course can act 
merely in a palliative manner, the cause of the dropsical accumu- 
lation still persisting. Still, as Dr. Graves has remarked, under 
favourable circumstances and in a good constitution, the simple 
operation of evacuating the fluid by punctures made through the 
skin, has been, of itself, sufficient to effect a cure. 

In a lady, under his care, a general anasarca came on after fever, 
and resisted every form of treatment he could devise. When he 
had made many fruitless attempts to produce absorption by means 

1 Mr. Travers, in Lond. Med. Gazette, Feb. 1837, p. 737. Mr. Lewis, 
Ibid. Feb. 1837, p. 788. Mr. Robert Keate, Ibid. p. 789. 

2 British Annals of Medicine, No. 1, p. 13. 

8 Dr. Davidson, in Edin. Med. and Surg. Journal for Jan. 1838. 
* Lancet, May 7, 1836, and Jan. 14, 1837. 

*Dr. Graves, Lond. Med. Gazette, Oct. 1838. See, also, Mr. King, Ibid. 
Oct. 7, 1837, and Nov. 25, 1837. 



30 dunglison's new remedies. 

of internal remedies, another practitioner was called in, who prac- 
tised acupuncturation of the lower extremities, and succeeded 
completely. 

Lastly, Mr. Vowell 1 has published a case in which acupunctura- 
tion was successfully employed for the removal of a ganglion. A 
young lady Under his care had been affected with a ganglion of a 
considerable size on the extensor tendons of the foot, which pro- 
duced not only disfiguration, but some uneasiness. Mr. Vowell 
applied blisters, and afterwards the iodine ointment and pressure, 
for above a month, without benefit. He then inserted the tambour 
porte-aiguille of his patient. Pressure was applied, and within a 
week the tumour had completely disappeared. 

When acupuncturation is conjoined with electricity or galvanism, 
it constitutes electro-puncture, and galvano-jmncture. (q. v.) 



.ETHER HYDROCYANICUS. 

Synonymes. iEther Prussicus, Hydrocyanic, or Prussic Ether. 
German. Oyanather. 

This preparation was discovered a short time ago by Pelouze. 2 
and, according to Magendie, 3 it resembles in its effects the hydro- 
cyanic acid, without being so violent a poison, and, consequently, 
he esteems it worthy of regard as an addition to the materia 
medica. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

Equal parts of sulpho-vinate of baryta and cyanuret of potassium 
are mixed intimately together, put into a glass retort, to which a 
tubulated receiver is adapted, and exposed to a moderate temperature. 
By distillation, a colourless, or slightly yellowish fluid is obtained, 
which separates into two distinct strata. The lighter consists 
chiefly of hydrocyanic ether, which is not pure however, but mixed 
with water, alcohol, sulphuric ether, and hydrocyanic acid. In 
order to purify it, it must be strongly shaken, and, with four or 
five times its bulk of water, must be exposed for some time to a 
temperature of 60° or 70° centigrade : it must be again agitated 
with a little water, decanted, suffered to remain in contact with 
chloride of lime for twenty-four hours, and then distilled. The 
ether thus obtained is pure. It is a colourless fluid, of a penetrating, 
disagreeable garlicky odour. Specific gravity 0.78. It boils at 82° 

1 Lancet, Aug. 25, 1838, p. 770. 

2 Journal de Pharmacie, xx, 399. Paris, 1833. 

3 Forraulaire — derniere edition. 



AETHER HYDROCYANICUS AQ.UA AMYGDALARUM. 31 

centigrade: is very slightly soluble in water, but soluble in every 
proportion in alcohol and sulphuric ether. In its pure state it does 
not disturb a solution of nitrate of silver. It inflames very readily, 
and burns with a blue light. Caustic potassa decomposes it with 
difficulty, and only when highly concentrated. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Six drops of this ether placed in the throat of a dog, occasioned, 
in a short time, deep respiratory efforts : the dog fell on its side and 
convulsions succeeded, with considerable motion of the paws. This 
condition continued for four minutes, after which the effects gradu- 
ally disappeared, and in the course of half an hour passed away. 
Six drops injected into the jugular vein rapidly caused death, with 
symptoms similar to those induced by the hydrocyanic acid. Accord- 
ing to Magendie, these experiments were frequently repeated by him 
with different modifications, after which he ventured upon its 
administration in disease. He added six drops of the ether' to a 
mucilaginous linctus, and prescribed it to a patient labouring under 
hooping cough, who, in the course of a few days, derived signal 
benefit from it, and without complaining of its penetrating, disa- 
greeable odour. The same good effects happened to several patients 
to whom he gave it in the Hotel Dieu. But although the results 
were favourable in cases in which the hydrocyanic acid was indi- 
cated, he found it necessary to discontinue its use, on account of 
the invincible nausea which its smell induced. Magendie advises 
it in those diseases in which mixtures of the hydrocyanic acid have 
been found of service. 



AQUA AMYGDALARUM, (CONCENTRATA.) 

Synonymes. Water of Bitter Almonds. 
French. Eau d'Amandes Ameres. 
German. Bittermandelwasser. 

The water of bitter almonds has been received into many of the 
modern Pharmacopoeias ; — into those of Bavaria, Paris. Ferrara, 
Hanover, Hesse, and Prussia, for example. 



METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The Pharmacopoeia of Prussia directs it to be prepared in the 
following manner: — Take two pounds of bitter almonds, bruise 
well, and add — whilst triturating them — ten pounds of spring 
water, and four ounces of highly rectified spirit of wine. Let the 



32 dunglison's new remedies. 

mixture rest for twenty-four hours in a well closed vessel, and 
then distil two pounds. The product must be kept in a well 
stopped bottle. 

The inequality in the strength of the aqua lauro-cerasi and of 
the medicinal hydrocyanic acid suggested this preparation, which 
was extolled by Hufeland for its uniformity. Its effect is entirely 
like that of the aqua lauro-cerasi, but its greater regularity in 
strength and action has not been confirmed. 

Giese found the quantity of hydrocyanic acid contained in the 
product of the above formula half less than that in the cherry 
laurel water; and Jorg, from his experiments upon himself and 
others, proved it to be much weaker and more uncertain. 

Neither this preparation, nor the distilled aqua lauro-cerasi, is 
employed in this country, or in Great Britain. Every objection 
made to the hydrocyanic acid seems to be equally applicable to them. 



AQUA BINELLI. 

Synonymes. Aqua Balsamica Arterialis. 
German. Binellisches Wasser. 

Not many years ago, this Italian nostrum was vaunted through- 
out Europe, as a styptic in every kind of hemorrhage — both when 
internally and externally administered. By several enlightened 
Italian physicians — Cotugno, Antonucci, Santoro, and others, it 
was found highly serviceable, and Grafe thought, at first, that he 
had observed good effects from it. Subsequently, however, not 
only he but Simon, Dieffenbach, and Dr. John Davy, 1 found that 
it was not possessed of more efficacy than simple cold water. 

The new haemostatic received its name, Acqua Binelli, from Dr. 
Fidele Binelli, the inventor. It was a perfectly transparent fluid, 
almost tasteless, having a slightly empyreumatic odour ; but neither 
the presence of salt, alkali, earth, nor acid, could be detected by 
the senses. 

The first public trials, to test the efficacy of the liquid in arrest- 
ing hemorrhage, were instituted at Turin, in 1797, by order of the 
government, the results of which were esteemed favourable. Soon 
after this Binelli died, and the secret for making the preparation is 
said to have died with him ; but in the years 1829 and 1830, the 
successors of Binelli affirmed, that they had discovered the secret, 
and fresh experiments were instituted and repeated in Germany. 
Various blood-vessels were divided on animals ; — the femoral and 
carotid arteries, and the internal jugular veins — and the cuts were 

1 Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, July, 1833. 



aq.ua picea. 33 

made in every direction ; some longitudinally, some obliquely, 
others completely across, and, in all cases, the hemorrhage yielded 
as soon as charpie, or lint, steeped in the acqua binelli, was applied 
and pressed gently against the wound for live or ten minutes. 

Encouraged by the results of these experiments, the liquid was 
tried on man and with advantage; but it was soon found, that the 
results were not owing to any properties of the liquid, but to the 
cold, moisture, and appropriate pressure. 

The author has given the results of the experiments and 
observations of Dr. John Davy in another work. 1 They convey 
interesting information as regards the physiology, pathology, and 
therapeutics of wounded vessels, and impart a useful lesson to 
the enquirer — not to deduce inferences from inadequate data, 
without having investigated every collateral circumstance that 
may bear upon a question. The results of Dr. Davy's experiments 
show how hemorrhage from wounding a large artery, which would 
be speedily fatal, may be readily arrested by moderate compression 
with several folds of linen or cotton moistened with water ; and 
they further show how, under this moderate compression, the 
wound in the artery may heal, and the vessel remain pervious, 
without the supervention of aneurism. Dr. Davy lays stress on 
moderate pressure, such as may still allow the blood to pass 
through the canal of the artery. 

It has been suggested, that the acqua binelli may be indebted for 
its fancied haemostatic property to creosote in some form, but Dr. 
Davy's explanation appears all sufficient to account for the pheno- 
mena. Under these circumstances we may follow the example of 
Riecke, 2 and pass it by with this cursory notice. 



AQUA PICEA. 

Synonymes. Tar Water, Aqua Picis, Infusum Picis Liquidum seu Picis 

Empyreumaticse Liquidse, Potio Picea. 
French. Eau de Goudron. 
German. Theerwasser. 

This preparation, at one time so much extolled, and recom- 
mended on the authority of the celebrated Bishop Berkeley, but 
which had almost fallen into total disuse, has been recently revived, 
more especially since it has been found to contain creosote. It was 
first employed extensively in England about the middle of the last 
century, and was drunk not simply as a therapeutical but as a 
prophylactic agent, so that, Riecke facetiously remarks, almost as 

1 General Therapeutics, p. 198. Philad. 1836. 

2 Die neuern Arzneimittel. S. 28. Stuttgart, 1837. 

6 — f duvgl 3 



34 dunglison's new remedies. 

much tar-water was consumed by the inhabitants of London, as 
beer and other drinks I 1 

As commonly happens in such cases, practitioners passed from 
one extreme to the other, and as they gradually found the tar-water 
was not capable of accomplishing- all that had been ascribed to it, 
they ultimately neglected it altogether. Still, formulas for its 
preparation exist in many Pharmacopoeias — in those of Dublin, 
Bavaria, Brunswick, Paris, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and Wirtem- 
berg, for example. 

The water takes up from the tar a small portion of acetic acid, 
creosote, and resinous matter ; and it was formerly much praised 
as a remedy in pulmonary consumption, and as a diuretic; its 
virtues, however, appearing to rest almost wholly on the contained 
creosote. 

Some years ago, Arnheimer, of Duisburg, recalled the attention 
of practitioners to it as a remedy in many chronic cutaneous affec- 
tions, especially of the herpetic kind; and he asserted, that he 
found no remedial agent more valuable when its use was perse- 
vered in for one or two months to the extent of a pint or two daily. 
Arnheimer directed patients to prepare it for themselves in the fol- 
lowing manner. A pound of tar was put into a deep porcelain 
dish, and a quart of water poured upon it ; for half an hour it was 
stirred with a spoon ; the mixture was then allowed to stand for 
twenty-four hours ; the tar remaining on the surface of the water, 
was skimmed off, and the clear fluid put into well stopped bottles. 

He advises, that a large quantity should not be prepared at once, 
as the water in time becomes ropy and its golden yellow colour is 
changed to a darker hue. It is generally taken without any re- 
pugnance. 

Since the discovery of creosote, tar water has received fresh con- 
sideration, and it is not improbable that it may come again into 
more general use, as it appears, from recent experiments, that there 
are cases where it would seem to merit a preference over creosote. 
M. Petrequin has lately made some trials with both in chronic 
catarrh, and in different stages of phthisis. 2 

The number of cases communicated by him is twenty-three ; of 
these seven were cases of chronic catarrh, in which creosote was 
given ; generally the cough was mitigated by it, but in two cases no 
effect was produced on that symptom. The expectoration was usu- 
ally diminished or facilitated : in two cases, however, no advantage 
was derived from creosote, and in one case the sputa were bloody. 
In the majority of the cases, the dyspnoea ceased ; in others, it con- 
tinued ; and in the same number of cases the pain in the breast was 
relieved by its use. 

As to its effects on the digestive organs, it several times excited 
thirst; but the most marked result was the sensation of burning, 

1 Die neuern Arzneimhtel. S. 38. Stuttgart, J837. 
* Gazette Medicale de Paris, No. 45. Nov. 5, 1836. 



aq.ua picea. 35 

which it caused, in the majority of cases, in the digestive tube or 
in the breast. In two cases it exhibited no influence on an existing 
diarrhoea, whilst in two others it appeared to diminish the number 
of the evacuations. In two cases it excited vomiting, and com- 
monly produced nausea. On the whole, in the greater number of 
cases it appeared to render good service, but in one it was of no 
avail, and in another it seemed to aggravate the affection. 

In four cases of incipient phthisis, treated with creosote, M. Pe- 
trequin obtained the following results. Although in one instance, 
the cough was aggravated ; in the majority of cases the opposite 
was the fact. The expectoration was facilitated but diminished 
in quantity; the dyspnoea was more or less improved, and in two 
cases the pain in the chest was relieved. In this disease, also, the 
creosote excited burning in the epigastrium or chest, and in one in- 
stance fugitive sensations of heat and creeping in the limbs. In one 
case the benefit was striking, in two the improvement was to a 
less extent, and in one the disease was augmented. 

Four other cases were of advanced phthisis. In most of them 
the cough was more or less improved, — never increased ; the op- 
pression remained much the same, but in one case it became more 
severe. As regards the effects upon the digestive organs, they 
were much the same as in the first class of cases. The improve- 
ment in one case was insignificant; in two others but slight, and 
in the fourth case the affection was aggravated. 

Tar water M. Petrequin directs to be prepared by digesting an 
ounce of tar in a quart (pinte) of water for eight days, and then 
filtering. It is taken mixed with milk, and to the extent of from 
eight to twelve ounces in the day. With this preparation, he 
treated three cases of chronic catarrh. The cough was always 
improved by it, the expectoration diminished or facilitated ; the 
dyspnoea alleviated or removed, and the pains in the chest improved 
or dissipated. 

In two cases, it appeared to act beneficially on vomiting which 
accompanied the cough. The appetite was improved, and in one 
case diarrhoea appeared to be diminished, whilst in two others, 
existing constipation yielded during its use. In all the cases, sleep 
was restored. On the urinary secretion it exerted no influence, 
and it neither excited thirst nor nausea like creosote. 

In three cases of incipient phthisis, its action was more beneficial 
than that of creosote. The cough was always ameliorated, the 
expectoration facilitated or diminished, and the dyspnoea and tho- 
racic pain relieved. In one case, it seemed to act favourably on 
accompanying emesis, and in another to quench the thirst. It 
excited or improved the appetite, and aided digestion. 

In one case of advanced phthisis, the alleviation produced by the 
tar water was beyond all expectation, but in another the disease 
had proceeded so far that it was wholly unsuccessful. 

So far then as M. Petrequin's experiments go, they would seem 
to show that advantage may be derived, in the cases in question, 



36 dunglison's new remedies. 

from the administration of creosote and tar water ; and that the 
latter is perhaps possessed of properties which the other has not — 
to the same degree at least. The cases are, however, too few to 
enable us to deduce any thing entirely satisfactory. 

Fresh experiments will doubtless be instituted, which may ena- 
ble us to infer positively on matters that must as yet be considered 
involved in doubt. 1 

We have administered it freely in phthisis, as well as in chronic 
bronchitis. In the latter affection, it has relieved cases, in which 
the accustomed excitant expectorants are found to be serviceable. 
The same has been the fact in the former disease; but farther than 
this no advantage has accrued from its administration. 

In a late French periodical, 2 some cases are published from the 
records of the hospitals for 1829 and 1830, during the attendance 
of the late Professor Dupuytren, in which injections of tar water 
were successfully administered in catarrhus vesicas, along with the 
use of pills of turpentine. 

The tar water was made by infusing in the cold, for a night, a 
pound of tar in ten pounds of spring water, filtering and warming 
the solution before using it. Large quantities of this were injected 
through an elastic gum catheter, which was forthwith withdrawn 
and the patient directed to retain the injection as long as possible. 
The injection was repeated daily. Venice turpentine was admi- 
nistered internally after the following form : — 

*. Terebinth, §j. [?]. 

Pulv. cujusvis, q. s. Fiant pilulse xl. 

Ten of these were given in the day — the number being gradu- 
ally diminished, until they were wholly discontinued. 



ARGENTI PR^PARATA. 

Synonymes. Preparations of Silver. 
German. Silberpraparate. 

Of the preparations of silver, the nitrate is the only one that has 
been much used, and this chiefly as an external application. Very 
recently, however, the attention of physicians has been directed to 
the internal use of many of those preparations, and especially by 
M. Serre, 3 professor of surgical clinics at Montpellier. This gentle- 
man commenced his first trials in May, 1S35, in the civil and 
military hospital of St. Eloi. At this time there was an unusual 

1 Deslandies, Diet, de Medec. et de Chirurgie prat, xi, 233. 

*La Lancette Franchise, Avril 8, 1837. 

* Bulletin Generale de Therapeutique, 1836. 



ARGENTI PR^EPARATA. 37 

number of syphilitic patients in the wards, of which the most 
severe and appropriate cases were selected for treatment by the 
preparations of silver, the chloride, cyanide, and iodide. Trials 
were also made with the divided metallic silver, the oxide of silver, 
and the chloride of ammonia and silver. At first these preparations 
were administered iatraleiptically ; the chloride, the cyanide, and 
the iodide in the quantity of one twelfth of a grain ; the chloride of 
silver and ammonia in the quantity of one fourteenth of a grain ; 
and the oxide of silver and the divided silver in the dose of one 
eighth, and one quarter of a grain, respectively. M. Serre soon 
found that these doses were generally too small : he therefore 
raised that of the chloride and the iodide to one tenth and one 
eighth of a grain, without the slightest inconvenience resulting. 
The other preparations were also increased in the same proportion, 
with the exception of the chloride of silver and ammonia, which 
requires more precaution than any of the other preparations. 

M. Serre did not restrict himself to the iatraleiptic administration 
of these substances, but employed them internally in the form of 
pill, and externally as local applications. The formulae preferred 
by him were the following : — 

Pulvis Argenti Chlorureli. 
Powder of chloride of silver. 

3<. Argent, chlorur. gr. j. 
Pulv. irid. florent. gr. ij. 

Reduce to a fine powder, and divide into eight or ten portions ; 
to be rubbed on the tongue. 

PilulcB Argenti et Ammonia Chlorureti. 
Pills of chloride of silver and ammonia. 

£. Argent, et ammon. chloruret. gr. j. 
Pulv. irid. florent. gr. ij. 
Conservee flor. tiliae q. s. ut fiat rnassa in pilulas xiv dividenda. 

For internal use. 

Unguentum Oxidi Argenti. 
Ointment of oxide of silver. 

Bt. Oxid. argent, gr. xx. 

Axungise, 3J. Misce, ut fiat unguentum. 

When the iodide or cyanide is substituted for the oxide of silver, 
ten or twelve grains of these may be added to the ounce of lard. 

M. Serre describes several cases of syphilis in which the pre- 
parations of silver were administered according to the above forms. 
The first patient was a soldier, 2G years old, of athletic constitu- 
tion, who, at the time of his admission into the hospital, had several 
large chancres on the prepuce, so close to each other as to seem to 
form one large circular ulceration, five or six lines in diameter. 



38 



DUNGLISON'S NEW REMEDIES. 



After a few days' rest, and the use of baths, M. Serre ordered the 
chloride of silver in friction on the tongue in the quantity of one 
twelfth of a grain. The ulcers were treated with simple cerate 
(ceratvm galeui) spread on lint. After the second rubbing, the 
patient experienced violent colicky pains, which were not severe 
enough, however, to induce a discontinuance of the remedy. 
Scarcely had a grain of the chloride been employed, when the 
secretion from the ulcerated parts became less : the surface of the 
chancres lost the kind of grayish border which they possessed, and 
the cicatrisation proceeded rapidly. The frictions were continued, 
and the condition of the patient went on improving. At the end 
of two months he left the hospital. 

In the five subsequent cases the same plan of treatment was pur- 
sued. The chloride was used exclusively according to the iatra- 
leiptic method. The symptoms were various; in addition to 
chancres there was in one case a suppurating bubo; in another, 
syphilitic vegetations at the margin of the anus ; and in a third, 
fissures in the same part. In the seventh case, in which there were 
chancres, gonorrhoea, and extensive rugous blotches on the nates, 
the chloride of silver was rubbed on the tongue, and applied 
topically in the form of ointment. The eighth patient, who suffered 
with large condylomata, as well as with ulcers in the neck, took 
the chloride in pills to the extent of nine grains in the course of the 
treatment; frictions with the ointment of silver were also applied to 
the affected parts. 

M. Serre deduces from all his experiments the following amongst 
other conclusions. First. The preparations of silver have this 
great advantage over those of mercury, that they never occasion 
salivation, nor do they induce in the intestinal canal or in the respira- 
tory organs, the disagreeable effects that are too often caused by 
mercury. Secondly. That should their therapeutical agency be 
confirmed by experience, and they be introduced into hospital 
practice, great advantage will be derived as respects the purity of 
the wards, and the cleanness of the bedclothes, &c. Thirdly 
That patients can be treated by them in secret as well as when 
traveling, without fear of detection. Fourthly. That the prepara- 
tions of gold are to be preferred in these respects, but that gold 
has the disadvantage of exciting too much, and cannot, therefore, 
be exhibited to those of a nervous and excitable temperament, 
or who have weak and delicate chests. In such cases the prepa- 
rations of silver merit the preference. Fifthly. The preparations 
of silver are much cheaper than those of gold, and are, therefore, 
more available in practice amongst the poor and in large hospitals ; 
and, moreover, they are more easily prepared, which is a considera- 
tion of some moment, as regards the pharmaciens of small towns. 
Sixthly and lastly. There are cases in which mercurial and gold 
preparations fail, and where the preparations of silver might be of 
great advantage. 

The observation of others has not confirmed the assertions of 



ARGENTI PR^3PARATA. 39 

M. Serre. M. Ricord 1 employed the various preparations made 
after the formulte given by M. Serre, in the same doses ; but not 
being able to observe any effect that could be fairly ascribed to the 
agents, he ventured upon considerably larger doses, as much, for 
example, as twelve grains a day of the iodide and cyanide, but 
without any marked results. 

In this country, the preparations of silver have been but little, if 
at all, used in syphilis. 



I. ARGENTI CHLORIDUM. 

Synonymes. Argentum Muriaticum, A. Salitum, Chloruretum Argenti, 

Argentum Chloratum, Chloride, Chloruret or Muriate of Silver. 
French. Chlorure d'Argent. 
German. Salzsaures Silber, Chlorsilber. 

The chloride of silver is prepared by the decomposition of a 
solution of nitrate of silver, by an excess of a solution of chloride 
of sodium. The resulting product, or the chloride of silver, 
appears under the form of a flaky, clotted, very thick precipitate : 
it must now be washed repeatedly with boiling water, and be 
exposed to the heat of a sand-bath, so that it may dry as speedily 
as possible. 

Chloride of silver prepared in this way, is of a white colour, 
devoid of taste, and not soluble in water, but soluble in ammonia. 
In the light it speedily changes, especially when much divided, or 
when moist, and assumes a somewhat dark violet hue, as the 
chlorine is given off. 

The chloride of silver suffers no decomposition when united 
with vegetable matters. It must be dried and kept protected from 
the light. 2 

Its uses have been referred to under the head of the preparations 
of silver. 

II. ARGENTI ET AMMONIA CHLORIDUM. 

Synonymes. Argentum Muriaticum Ammoniatum, Chloruretum Argenti 

et Ammoniaci, Chloride or Chloruret of Silver and Ammonia. 
French. Chlorure d'Argent et d'Ammoniaque. 
German. Silbersalmiak, Salzsaures Silberammonium. 

This preparation is obtained, when we saturate, by the aid 
of heat, liquid ammonia with fresh precipitated and carefully 
washed chloride of silver. The operation must be accomplished 
at such a degree of heat, that the fluid shall boil once; for if the 
boiling be continued a few moments and in the open air, no 

1 J. J. L. Rattier, La Lancette Franchise, No. 122, Oct. 13, 1836. 

2 On the mode of forming the various preparations of silver, see Chamou, 
in Bulletin Generate de Therapeutique, No. xvi. Aug. 30, 1836. 



40 dunglison's new remedies. 

crystals will he deposited on cooling. If the fluid, whilst in full 
ebullition and preserved from the light, be filtered, very regular 
crystals will be deposited on cooling, which may be dried between 
blotting paper, and should be kept in a well stopped bottle. 

The chloride of silver and ammonia has a bluish white colour, 
the peculiar smell of ammonia, and a burning, almost caustic, 
taste. In the air, it gradually exhales ammonia, and acquires all 
the properties of simple chloride of silver, without, however, losing 
the form of the original composition. 

If the crystals be kept in the ammonia in which they were 
formed, they do not experience the slightest change in their colour 
from the influence of light. When treated with distilled water, 
the chloride of silver and ammonia is decomposed. A portion 
saturated with ammonia is again dissolved ; yet a much greater 
portion remains undissolved ; this contains only a small quantity 
of ammonia. The chloride of silver and ammonia experiences the 
same decomposition through the influence of heat, as when it is 
exposed to the open air, except that the decomposition takes place 
more rapidly. It displays nothing extraordinary, when rubbed 
with organic matters. 

This remedy, as was before remarked, has also been used with 
advantage by Serre in cases of syphilis. 

Another preparation, the Liquor argenti muriatico-ammo- 
niati, has been long recommended by Kopp, in cases of chronic 
nervous affections. It is prepared according to the following 
formula: — 

fy. Argent, nitric, fus. gr. x. 
Aquae distillat. ^ij. 
Soluto filtrato instilla liquoris natri muriatici, (Sodse Muriatis,) q. s. ad 
prsecipitandum. Prseeipitatum sedulo ablutum solve in liquoris Ammon. 
Caust. $iss: adde acidi muriatici 3 i i j . vel q. s. ut praecipitatio evitetur et 
argentum muriaticum in statu solutionis permaneat. Pondus fluidi flltrati 
aequale sit unciis duabus cum dimidia. 1 

This preparation is transparent, but under the effect of light 
suffers black flakes to be deposited. It is therefore necessary to 
preserve it in small bottles painted black, in a dark place. In 
using it, acid substances should be avoided. 

Kopp found this liquor argenti muriaticoammoniati of great 
efficacy in St. Vitus's dance. It may be given to children of about 
ten years of age, morning, noon, and night, in doses of three drops, 
gradually raised to six, in a spoonful of distilled water. 

1 " Take of fused nitrate of silver, ten grains ; distilled water, two ounces : 
Into the filtered solution drop enough of a solution of chloride of sodium to 
precipitate. Dissolve the carefully washed precipitate in an ounce and a 
half of caustic liquid ammonia; add three drams of muriatic acid, or enough 
to avoid precipitation, and the muriate of silver may remain in a state of 
solution. The weight of the filtered fluid should be equal to two ounces 
and a half." 



ARGENTI PR.EPARATA. 41 

III. ARGENTI CYANIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Argentum Cyanogenatum, Cyanuretum Argenti, Cyanide 
or Cyanuret of Silver. 

French. — Cyanure d'Argent. 
German. — Blaustoffsilber, Cyansilber. 

This is obtained by permitting a weak solution of hydrocyanic 
acid to act on a solution of nitrate of silver. The very light white 
precipitate, formed thereby, must be repeatedly washed with dis- 
tilled water, and be reduced to dryness in a moderately heated 
oven. In the preparation of the cyanide of silver, as of the iodide, 
it is essential to pour on only so much of the fluid in the formation 
of the precipitate as may be required for the complete decomposi- 
tion of the nitrate of silver. If too much hydrocyanic acid be used, 
a part of the precipitate will be separated in the form of the hydro- 
cyanate of silver. If, instead of the hydrocyanic acid, the hydro- 
cyanate of potassa be used, the latter, if added in too great 
proportion, will unite with the cyanide of silver, and form a soluble 
double salt. 

Cyanide of silver is of a white colour, devoid of taste, not soluble 
in water, but soluble in ammonia. In the air, the surface very 
soon becomes of a dark violet hue, similar to that of the chloride 
of silver under like circumstances. 

The cyanide of silver is dry, and should be kept preserved from 
the light. It experiences no decomposition when mixed with 
neutral vegetable matters. 

Its use in disease has been referred to under the preparations of 
silver. 

IV. ARGENTUM DIVISUM. 

Synonymes. — Metallic Silver in a state of division. 
German. — Zertheiltes Silber. 

Pure oxide of silver is placed in a porcelain crucible, and the 
fire is increased to a dull redness. The product is then allowed to 
cool, rubbed in an agate mortar, and sifted through a close sieve or 
bolting cloth. 

In this condition divided silver forms a very fine powder, of a 
white dullish colour ; theair has no infiuenceupon it, unless when 
impregnated with sulphureous vapours. 

Besides the use of this preparation in syphilis already referred to, 
it may be remarked, that the filings of silver, argentum, limatum, 
which agree with it in its chemical relations, had been administered 
ten years before in cases of intermittent fever, by Dr. Meyer, of 
Biickeburg. 1 

Notwithstanding the testimony adduced in its favour, it is pro- 
bably wholly inert, or exerts but a mechanical agency. 

1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 436. 



42 dunglison's new remedies. 

V. ARGENTI IODIDUM. 

Svnonymes. Argentum Iodatum, Ioduretum Argenti ; Iodide or Ioduret 
of Silver. . 

French. — Iodure d'Argent. 
German. — Iodsilber. 

Iodide of silver is obtained by mixing a solution of the nitrate 
of silver with one of the iodide of potassium. The yellowish flakes, 
produced by the admixture of the two fluids, are then washed 
several times with distilled water, and dried in an oven. 

In this preparation, also, it is important, that only so much of the 
reagent should be added as is necessary for the complete decompo- 
sition of the salt of silver. A surplus of the iodide of potassium 
would form with the already precipitated iodide of silver a soluble 
and crystallisable double salt of iodine, whereby the quantity of the 
product, which it might be desirable to obtain, would be diminished. 

Iodide of silver is of a very pale yellow colour, but becomes, 
under the action of light and air, of a deeper yellow. It has no 
taste, and is neither soluble in water nor in ammonia. The latter 
property serves to distinguish it from the chloride and the cyanide 
of the same metal. Like the chloride, the iodide must be kept in a 
dry dark place. Neutral vegetable substances appear to exert no 
action upon it. 

Its properties have been enumerated under the head of the pre- 
parations of silver. 

VI. ARGENTI OXIDUM. 

Synonymes. Argenturn Oxydatum, Oxydum Argenti. 

French,. — Oxide d'Argent. 

German. — Silberoxyd, Oxydirtes Silber. 

This oxide is obtained by the reaction of caustic potassa on a 
solution of nitrate of silver. The alkaline fluid must be added in 
excess, and the oxide, which is the product of the decomposition, 
must be washed several times in a considerable quantity of water, 
and be dried by moderate heat, and preserved from the light. 

In the state of hydrate, the oxide is black ; when anhydrous, it 
appears as an olive greenish brown powder ; it is tasteless, and 
capable of absorbing carbonic acid from the air. Under the long 
continued influence of light it is blackened ; and at a heat below 
the obscure red, it is reduced to the metallic condition. To 
be kept for a long time in the pure state, it must be protected from 
the light, in a well stopped bottle. 

This preparation, which was also recommended by Serre, has 
been used by Van Mons in syphilis. 1 

1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 440. 



ARGTLLA PURA. 43 

ARGILLA PURA. 

Synonymes. Alumina pura, Terra aluminosa pura, Terra Aluminis, 

Terra bolaris, seu ArgilJacea pura ; Pure Argil or Alumina. 
French. — Alumine factice. 
German. — Reine Thonerde ; reine Alaunerde. 

This substance was known in olden times by the name Arme- 
nian Bole, Terra sigillata, <§*c. in which forms it was always, 
however, mixed with lime and iron. It was highly extolled as an 
absorbent, demulcent, diaphoretic and astringent ; was employed, 
in hemorrhage, diarrhoea and dysentery, phthisis, poisoned wounds, 
&c. and was also applied externally in cases of erysipelas. It had 
almost fallen into complete oblivion, when its use was resumed by 
some of the German practitioners. With us, it is scarcely ever, if 
ever, prescribed. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The purest argil is prepared by drying the sulphate of alumina 
and ammonia, and exposing it for 20 or 25 minutes to a red heat, 
in a crucible : the sulphuric acid and ammonia are driven off, and 
the argil remains behind in the form of a white powder. Formerly, 
it was prepared by dissolving alum in water, and precipitating the 
argil from the solution by means of carbonate of potassa or soda, or 
of caustic potassa. It is affirmed, however, that generally more or 
less sulphuric acid remained with the earth, so that it required to be 
purfied by repeated washing, until there was no longer any acid 
reaction. If a still higher degree of purity be needed, the precipitate 
is dissolved in muriatic acid, and the argil precipitated by caustic 
ammonia. 

The powder, prepared by these methods, is of a white colour and 
devoid of smell or taste ; but it communicates to the tongue a 
feeling of astringency. When breathed upon, it yields a peculiar 
earthy smell. It is insoluble in water, but attracts moisture greedily 
from the air, and forms with it a gelatiniform mass. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Pure argil was highly recommended by Percival in indigestion 
attended with predominance of acidity ; and it was in such cases 
extolled by the Dresden physicians, Ficinus and Seiler. 1 Accord- 
ing to the former, it merits a preference over all other absorbents, 
inasmuch as it forms astringent salts with acids. He found it es- 
pecially useful in diarrhoea and dysentery, particularly in children. 
Seiler recommended it in the vomiting of infants, which is usually 
accompanied by acidity, and in the diarrhoea of older children. 

1 Zeitschrift fur Natur- und Heilkunde der Dresdner Professoren, B. I. 
H. 1, S. 82. 



44 dunglison's new remedies. 

Weese, 1 also employed it successfully in several cases of infantile 
diarrhcea where there was evidently a predominance of acid. The 
latest encomiast of the argilla depurata is Diirr, who, for several 
years, has administered it in the diarrhoea and cholera of infants, 
and has found it highly efficacious. 

The chemical reasons, urged by Ficinus and others, merit atten- 
tion. The article is worthy of employment in affections of the in- 
testinal tube, in which astringents are indicated. The muriatic, 
and the acetic or lactic acid are always in the stomach when any 
alimentary or other matter is present there ; these acids cannot fail, 
consequently, to unite with the argil, and the resulting compound 
must possess astringent properties. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The dose in the 24 hours, for a very young child, is from 3ss to 
3j ; for older children, from 3j to 3ij. Smaller doses are of little 
or no avail. The vehicle is commonly an emulsion. 

The following forms are given by Riecke. 2 

Mistnra Argillce. 

Mixture of Argil. 

5<. Emuls. sem. papav. (ex 3ss. parat.) 5*iiiss. 
Argillae purse, 9ij. 
Syrup, althaea?, gss. M. 

Dose — A tea spoonful to a child two years old affected with 
diarrhcea. 

5<. Argil!, pur. £ss. 
Gum. arab. ^j. 
Sacch. alb. ^ij. 
Aq. 1'oenicul. 3 i i j . M. 

Dose — The same as the last to a child one year old. 

s<. Emuls. oleos. cum vitell. ovor. parat. §j. 
Syrup, alth. 3J. 
Argill. depurat. £ss. 
Aq. cinnam. simpl. 3j. 
Extract, cicut. gr. ij. M. 

Dose — The same as the two last to a child three months old, 
affected with cholera infantum. 

Durr. 

1 Rust's Magazin, B. xii. H. 2, S. 247. 

2 Die neuern Arzneimittel. S. 41. Stuttgart, 1837. 



ARNICA — ARSENIAS AMMONITE. 45 

ARNICA. 

Synonymes. Arnica Montana, A. Plauensis, Doronicum Germanicum, 
Panacea Lapsorum, Ptarmica Montana, Caltha Alpina, Calendula Alpina, 
Narda Celtica altera, Doronicum plantaginis folio, Leopard's Bane.,, 

French.— Arnique, Tabac ou Betoine des Savoyards, Tabac de Montagne, 
Doronic d'Alleraagne, Tabac des Vosges. 

German.— Wohlverlei, Fallkraut. 

This plant, which belongs, in the sexual system, to the Synge- 
nesia polygamia superflua and to the natural order Synanthereae, 
is in the secondary list of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States, 
but it is not much used in this country ; nor does there appear to 
be any clear appreciation of the cases for which it is adapted. 1 
Such, too, appears to be the sentiment of the French practitioners. 
" It may be concluded," say M. M. Merat and De Lens, 2 " that we 
have as yet insufficient data to pronounce positively on the affec- 
tions in which the arnica can be unequivocally efficacious ; we 
must, consequently, always bear in mind its heating and active 
qualities when we prescribe it." 

In Germany, the flowers and root are much employed in para- 
lysis, as an excitant to the nervous system ; and it is chiefly to 
introduce the volatile oil — the oleum aithereum Jlorum arnica, 
[Germ. Wohlverleiol) — to the attention of the profession that we 
refer to the arnica at all. This oil is obtained from the flowers, 
and has been much recommended by Schneider in old cases of 
paralysis, which are the result of the apoplectic condition. He 
himself often administered it with evident success; the paralytic 
limbs becoming warmer, more active, and more serviceable under 
its use. 

Schneider mixes four drops of arnica oil with half an ounce of 
the liquor anodynus Hoffmanni, or spiritus nitri dulcis, and of this 
he gives, for a dose, from 4 to 12 drops several times a day. The 
mixture has an agreeable smell and taste. Four drops of the oil 
to 4 ounces of sugar form a good elceosaccharum. 3 



ARSENIAS AMMONIiE. 

Synonymes. Ammonium Arsenicum, Arseniate of Ammonia. 
French. Ars6niate d'Ammoniaque. 
German. Arseniksaures Ammonium. 

This preparation of arsenic has been highly recommended, 

1 Wood and Bache, Dispensatory of the United Slates, Art. Arnica. 
9 Dictionnaire Universel de Maliere Medicale, &c. i. 423. Paris, 1829. 
3 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 337. Stuttgart, 1837. 



46 dunglison's new remedies. 

since the year 1818, by Biett, in several cutaneous diseases, and 
especially in psoriasis inveterata. 1 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

It may be prepared by taking of arsenic acid one part, dissolving 
it in water, and adding pure or carbonated ammonia sufficient to 
saturate the acid ; — or, as follows : Take of white arsenic one part; 
nitric acid four parts, and muriatic acid half a part; saturate the 
solution with carbonate of ammonia, and let the arsenical salt 
crystallise. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE.. 

A grain of this salt may be dissolved in an ounce of distilled 
water; and of the solution from twenty to twenty-five drops be 
begun with daily, gradually increasing the dose until it reaches a 
dram or more in the twenty-four hours. 

There does not seem to be much difference between the effects 
of this preparation and those of the other forms of arsenic, that 
have been received into the Pharmacopoeias. The arsenious acid 
itself, as well as the arsenites of potassa and soda, — the officinal 
solution of the former well known every where under the name of 
"Fowler's Solution; that of the latter known, in continental 
Europe especially, under the name "Aqua Arsenicalis Pearsonii" — 
are possessed of precisely the same properties as the arseniate of 
ammonia, and like it have been found equally efficacious in obsti- 
nate diseases of the skin. Nor is the knowledge of the agency of 
arsenical preparations in cutaneous affections new. In India, the 
efficacy of arsenic in those diseases has been long known ; and, in 
Europe, attention was attracted to it by Fowler, 2 and Girdlestone, 3 
and subsequently by Willan, 4 by Pearson, 5 and others ; but no one 
has administered the arsenical preparations more extensively in 
these diseases than M. Biett, of Paris, whose situation has afforded 
him ample opportunities for testing the virtues of the different 
articles of the Materia Medica in skin complaints. He has suc- 
ceeded, by means of the arsenical preparations, and especially of 
the one we are now considering, in removing several inveterate 
affections of the skin, that had resisted every other remedy. The 
author has found equally beneficial results from this practice in his 
own experience. All chronic cutaneous diseases are dependent 
upon an alteration in the functions of the capillary vessels or 

1 Cazenave, in Diet, de Medec. 2d edit. iv. 30; and Cazenave's and 
Schadel's Practical Synopsis of Cutaneous Diseases, translated by R. G. 
Griffith, M. D. Philadelphia, 1829. 

2 Medical Reports. London, 1786. 

3 Essays on the Hepatitis, &c. of India. London, 1787. 

4 Description and Treatment of Cutaneous Diseases. London, 1798. 

5 Observations on the effects of various articles of the Materia Medica in 
the Venereal Disease, 2d edit. London, 1807. 



ARSENICUM IODATUM. 47 

vessels of nutrition of the part affected, and there appear to be 
but two ways in which those vessels can be reached, so that a new 
action may be impressed upon them; — in the one case, through the 
medium of the general circulation ; and, in the other, through the 
agency of topical applications, made to come in contact with the 
diseased surface. Arsenic, like iodine, mercury in small doses, and 
other alteratives, acts in the former way — modifying, after a pro- 
tracted exhibition, the fluid of the circulation in such manner, that 
it makes an altered impression on the morbid capillaries, and 
breaks in upon the diseased catenation. In no case, however, 
have we observed these salutary effects, until the use of the 
arsenical preparation had been persevered in for several weeks. 
These diseases are chronic ih their nature, and they require a 
chronic medication. Time is, indeed, in every case, an element in 
the cure. 



ARSENICUM IODATUM. 

Synonymes. Ioduretum seu Iodidum Arsenici, Iodide of Arsenic. 
German. Iodarsenik, Arsenikiodure, Iodarsen. 

Of late this preparation has been highly extolled by Biett, in the 
same class of affections as the last; — applied externally. ' 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The iodide is prepared, according to Magendie, 1 in two ways : 
1. By heating in a glass alembic, a mixture of sixteen parts of 
arsenic and one hundred parts of iodine. The combination sub- 
limes in the form of orange coloured needles. 2. Thirty parts of 
pulverised arsenic, and one hundred parts of iodine are boiled in 
one thousand parts of water. As soon as the liquid becomes 
colourless, it is filtered, and the filtered solution is evaporated to 
dryness. If it be thought advisable, this can be sublimed. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

When iodide of arsenic is injected into the veins it does not 
exert so strong an action on the heart as might be expected from 
so poisonous a substance. Mr. Blake 2 twice injected solutions, 
containing each six grains of this substance, into the jugular vein 
of a dog, without producing the slightest appreciable effect on the 
heart. On injecting a solution, containing fifteen grains, the action 
of the heart was immediately arrested. 

1 Formulaire. edit. cit. 

* Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, April, 1839, p. 336. 



48 dunglison's new remedies. 



MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 



Biett has frequently applied the following ointment in cases of 
phagedenic tuberculous herpes. 

5t. Arsenic, iodat. gr. iij. 

Axung. sj. 
M. exacte, ut fiat unguentum. 

Cazenave gives, as the usual proportion for an ointment, one 
part of the iodide to eighteen of lard. 

Professor A. T. Thomson has employed the iodide in several 
cases of lepra and impetigo, with very great success. 1 He begins 
with tenth of a grain doses three times a day. and increases them 
to a quarter of a grain. In some cases, he had not been able to 
exceed two-thirds of a grain, as symptoms of poisoning came on, 
and the medicine had to be given in diminished doses. 



ARTEMISIA VULGARIS (RADIX.) 

Synonymes. Mugwort. 

French. Armoise Commune. 

German. Beifusswurzel, Gemeiner Beifusswurzel. 

Almost all the species belonging to the genus artemisia are 
possessed of bitter and aromatic properties, and several afford the 
' wormseed.' The artemisia vulgaris was employed by many of the 
older physicians, but it had fallen into oblivion, when its use was 
revived in Germany, by Burdach, a physician at Triebel, near 
Sorace, 2 who recommended it strongly as a preventive of epilepsy. 
Since that time, it has been much prescribed in that country, 
but its employment has not extended much to other countries of 
Europe, or to this side of the Atlantic. The root is the part 
preferred, — formerly the herb and the tops were solely used. 

The root was employed in epilepsy, centuries ago, but it had 
been neglected, or was only exhibited as a nostrum, when Burdach 
entered upon his investigations, of which the following is a 
summary. 

The root of the artemisia should be dug up in autumn, after the 
stalk has become dry, or in the spring before the stalk has shot up; 
but perhaps the latter half of November is as good a period as any. 
It must be freed from the adherent earth by shaking. Burdach 
regards washing it to be objectionable, as the root may lose some 
portion of its efficacy thereby. The old, ligneous, mouldy, and 
damaged parts of each root must be carefully removed, and the 

1 Lancet, Jan. 19, 1839, p. 621. 

2 Hufeland's Journal, B. lviii. St. 4 und 5. 



ARTEMISIA VULGARIS. 49 

fresh young side roots (fibrillse), which are distinguished by their 
smell, clear colour, and greater juiciness, must be spread on paper, 
and dried in the shade, and as soon as they become brittle they 
must be carefully preserved. Besides the fibriUse, the soft, sound, 
and juicy parts of the root, especially the fleshy rind of the thicker 
roots, must be used. 

The period required for drying them varies ; in moist weather 
it may require two months; but late in the year the desiccation 
may be aided by the gentle warmth of the sun, or of a stove ; the 
latter must never, however, rise higher than from sixty-four to 
sixty-eight degrees of Fahrenheit. If put away too early the root 
becomes spoiled; if, too late, it loses many of its volatile parts. 
When powdered, it ought not to be kept too long, as the volatile 
portions escape and it soon becomes devoid of smell. Even during 
the process of pulverisiug loss is sustained, and the fresh powder 
has a much feebler odour than the entire root, so that Burdach 
advises for distant patients, that the root in substance should be 
sent to them, and that they should be recommended to pound it for 
use in a well covered mortar. By pulverising, the inner, hard, 
woody parts are separated from the smaller roots ; they must be 
removed and thrown away, as the powder of the cortical substance 
of the small radicles has alone been found efficacious. The smell 
of the well dried root is very strong, pungent and peculiar, 
especially when we open a vesseLin which it has been stored away 
in quantity. The taste is sweetish, sharp and nauseous. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

It has been already remarked, that Burdach 1 recommends the 
artemisia especially in epilepsy; and he affirms that it requires no 
preparation or special attention. 

It is most efficacious when given about half an hour before the 
attack, which it usually prevents; but if this be impracticable, it 
may be given as soon as the patient comes to. The dose is a 
heaped up teaspoonful, (from fifty to seventy grains,) which may 
be administered in warm beer; the patient should be put to bed 
immediately, covered up warm, and allowed warm small beer to 
drink, so as to occasion diaphoresis — care being taken that he does 
not expose himself to cold. This course is to be repeated so long 
as there are any traces of mischief. When the remedy, however, 
acts favourably, Burdach asserts, that frequent repetition is not often 
necessary. At times, it happens, that when the dose has been 
raised to a dram and a half, and thrice repeated, no critical sweat 
follows. Burdach then aids the operation by giving the liquor 
cornu cervi succinatus, {spiritus ammonia succinatus,) in an 
infusion of serpentaria, valerian root and arnica flowers; but the 
effect, he says, was always better when the diaphoresis was pro- 

* Casper's Wochenschrift, Oct. 22, 1836, S. 675. 
6— g dungl 4 



50 dunglison's new remedies. 

duced by the artemisia alone. One important advantage in the use 
of this agent is, that a judgment can be speedily formed of its 
utility; when much may be expected from it, a marked improve- 
ment usually occurs after the first doses. In those cases of epilepsy 
which recur every day, and sometimes even from three to fifteen 
times a day, and especially where the paroxysms are so violent and 
frequent, as to leave little interval for the patient to be restored to 
consciousness, the artemisia has proved more certain in its opera- 
tion, either by removing or mitigating the disease. In such cases, 
two doses were given on the first day, and afterwards one tolerably 
strong dose daily till the third day. In those forms of epilepsy, 
whose attacks recurred twice daily, morning and evening, the arte- 
misia acted very beneficially ; the paroxysms soon became some- 
what weaker, shorter, and were postponed a day or two. In such 
cases, it is advisable to continue the remedy for some weeks. Infants 
at the breast bear the artemisia especially well. It is equally effica- 
cious in the epileptic attacks of young females from twelve to 
fifteen years of age, and prior to the establishment of menstruation. 
Under its use, the catamenia have generally taken place, and the 
epilepsy has disappeared. On the other hand, the artemisia was 
found to aggravate cases of epilepsy occurring as a disease of 
growth, (entwickelungskrankheit,) in young persons from seven- 
teen to twenty-two years old, and as a consequence of great 
corporeal development. It was equally unfortunate in cases of 
epilepsia nocturna, where the paroxysms came on irregularly at an 
interval of about five, ten, or fifteen days, and generally about 
midnight; as well as in that form in which, after the patient had 
suffered for six, seven or eight weeks, under violent symptomatic 
sweats, a morbid condition ensued from two to three times every 
twenty-four hours, consisting of repeated epileptic attacks, with 
great prostration in the intervals. 

These are the main results of the communications of Bur- 
dach on this subject. 1 The number of his experiments and obser- 
vations was considerable, and the results appear to have been 
frequently most happy, especially in the case of females, who seem 
to have exhibited themselves more beneficially impressed by the 
remedy than males ; the proportion of cures being as three to two. 
Tosetti 2 gives the proportion of cases in women and children to 
that in men, as eight to six. 

In the Berlin Charite, the artemisia is said to have been used 
with equal success. The German Journals contain numerous 
cases, on the authority of E. Grafe, 1 * Wagner, 4 Van Maanen, 5 Wolf, 5 

1 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel u. s. w. S. 49. Stuttgart, 1837. 

2 Diss, inaug. de radice Artemis, vulg. remed. antiepilept. Berolin, 1827; 
and Osann in Art. Artemisia, Encyc. Worterb. iii. 313. Berlin, 1829. 

3 Grafe und Walther's Journal, B. vi. H. 2. 
* Hufeland's Journal, lix. S. 6. 

5 Ibid. lxi. 5. 
8 Ibid. lxii. 3. 



ARTEMISIA VULGARIS. 51 

Osann, Bonorden, 1 Schliiter, Bird, 2 Lowenhard, 3 Geis, 4 and others. 5 
Bat few physicians, according to Riecke, have been disappointed 
in it, and where they have been, he ascribes the failure to its having 
been given in cases for which it was inappropriate, or to the prepa- 
ration of the artemisia not having been properly attended to. 6 

In consequence of a German physician having recommended, the 
Artemisia absinthium to Professor A. T. Thomson, Professor Elliot- 
son 7 was induced to try it in epilepsy. The patient to whom he 
gave the medicine was a girl, seventeen years of age, who had 
been affected with epileptic fits for four months — three or four 
occurring daily. A dram of the powder of the artemisia was given 
three times a day. This was on the 30th of March. On the 9th 
of April, the dose was increased to two drams, when the fits 
became less frequent, but not less severe. On the 16th, the dose 
was repeated every four hours. She had only one slight fit in the 
course of twelve days ; and on her dismissal, on the 24th of May, 
she had had no fit for twenty-six days. Dr. Elliotson was of 
opinion, that the strong infusion would be less offensive to the 
patient, and quite as effective as the powder. 

Besides epilepsy, the artemisia has been used with advantage in 
other diseases, as in St. Vitus's dance. 8 Wutzer employed it 
successfully in the convulsive diseases of childhood, and it is 
recommended by Biermann 9 in eclampsia infantum, occurring 
during the period of dentition. He recommends it to be given to 
children in gradually increasing doses, commencing with half a 
grain ; and, an hour afterwards, giving a grain, and in two hours, 
two grains, which is usually the last dose required. The gradual 
augmentation of the dose he considers advisable, " to prevent 
the crisis which the artemisia induces, from being too turbulent," 
(sturmisch.) 

Kolreuter, of Carlsruhe, administered the artemisia in different 
diseases with great success. He prefers the extraction resinosum 
radicis artemisice vulgaris to the root in substance. This is 
prepared in the following manner. 

A quantity of the dried and powdered root is covered with 
highly rectified spirit of wine, and permitted to digest for some 
time: the filtered liquor is then evaporated, in an earthenware 
vessel, until it has attained the consistence of an extract. 

Kolreuter employed this advantageously in the eclampsia of 
children, (in certain cases after the application of leeches;) in 

1 Ibid. lx. 1. 

2 Ibid. lxv. 3. 

3 Ibid. lxv. 3. 
* Ibid. lxv. 3. 

6 Richter's Spccielle Therapie. B. x. S. 377. Berlin, 1828. 

6 Op. cit. S. 49. 

7 Lancet, July 9, 1836. 

8 Gittermann in Hufeland's Journal, lxii. 1. Bonorden, Op. cit. 

9 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 50. 



52 dunglison's new remedies. 

tormina unaccompanied by inflammation ; in the diarrhoea of 
children and adults; in sporadic cases of cholera morbus, and in 
dysentery, after the bloody evacuations had ceased ; in gastric 
fevers on their assuming a nervous character, and in dysphagia, 
cardialgia, chronic vomiting, scirrhus of the stomach, chronic 
cephalalgia and neuralgia of the face; in chlorosis, and in obstruc- 
tion of the catamenia, as well as in epilepsy. The dose in the 
twenty-four hours from 3ss. to oj. ; to small children, a few 
grains. 

Such is the chief testimony adduced in favour of the artemisia 
by the German writers mainly. It is to be feared, that the advan- 
tages to be derived from it in epilepsy have been exaggerated. 
Where there is no organic disease of the encephalon, substances, 
which, like the artemisia, are nauseous, bitter and aromatic, may 
be productive of advantage in the way of tonics and revellents. In 
one case of this nature it was employed by the author, but the 
results were not striking. When aided by other means and appli- 
ances it appears likewise to be powerfully diaphoretic, and doubt- 
less, therefore, in appropriate cases — especially where there is much 
nervous impressibility — it may be productive of the good effects 
ascribed to it by Burdach, Kolreuter and others. Yet — as Osann 
has remarked 1 — it must be improper where polysemia, or a 
tendency to active congestion or hyperasmia is present. The 
analysis of Hergt, Hummel, and Janike afforded, along with traces 
of volatile oil, some balsamic resin, both of which are excitants to 
the living economy. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The following forms for its administration have been adopted by 
some of the German authorities. 

Decoctutn Artemisia. 

Decoction of Mugwort. 

&. Rad.artemis. vulg. concis. ^j. 

Coque cum aq.as fontanee q. s. per semihorarn 
ad. colat. &j. 

Haifa teacupful of this may be taken every two hours in cases 
of epilepsy. Hildenbrand. 

Pulvis Artemisia. 

Powder of Mugwort. 

5<. Rad. artemis. vulg. in pulvere, gj. 
Sacch. alb. J}j. M. et fiat pulvis. 

The powder to be administered daily in the evening, in warm 
beer, in cases of epilepsy. Loewenstein. 

1 Art. Artemisia, in Encyc. Wiirterb. iii, 313. Berlin, 1829. 



ASPARAGI OFFICINALIS TURIONES. 53 

Mistura Artemisia. 

Mixture of Mugwort. 

5:. Ext. resin, artemis. vulg. gr. iv. 
Gum. arab. 9j. 
Sacch. alb. giij. 
Emuls. amygd. ^iij. M. 

A coffee-spoonful 1 to be given every half hour in eclampsia in- 
fantum. The dose may be gradually raised to two coffee-spoon- 
fuls. KOELREUTER. 



ASPARAGI OFFICINALIS TURIONES. 

Synonymes. Asparagus Shoots. 
German. — Spargelnsprossen. 

The diuretic effect of the common asparagus is well known, and 
has given occasion to its admission into many of the pharmaco- 
poeias of continental Europe — into those of Amsterdam, An vers, 
Brunswick, Spain, Paris, Ferrara, Geneva, and Wirtemberg, for 
example. Within the last few years, the young shoots have been 
introduced by the French practitioners, and hitherto they have 
been mainly administered in one form only — that of syrup. 

The Syrup of asparagus, (syrupus asparagi. French — Syrop 
des Pointes d'Asperge. German — Spargelsyrup,) is commonly 
prepared according to the following formula. 

A quantity of fresh asparagus is taken — Chevallier says only the 
upper green heads or tops of the young shoots — these are bruised 
in a marble mortar, after which the juice is expressed and heated 
in a water bath, until the albumen is coagulated : it is then filtered 
through paper, and to every pound of the juice 30 ounces of white 
sugar are added. It is then passed through flannel. 2 

This syrup has been recently recommended as a sedative in 
palpitation of the heart, and as an agent that might be advan- 
tageously substituted for digitalis. According to Richard and 
Soubeiran, however, the syrup never diminishes the number of 
pulsations as the digitalis commonly does. Other French physi- 
cians 3 regard it as a general sedative agent, and affirm, that, they 
have employed it advantageously for the relief of neuralgia, and 
even of such pains as are caused by organic disease, as well as in 
violent coughs, &c. 

1 About two ordinary teaspoonfuls. 

2 See on the preparation of this syrup, MM. Latour de Trie, and Roziers, 
in Journal de Pharmacie, Dec. 1833, and Philad. Journal of Pharmacy, vi. 
122. Philad. 1833-4. 

3 Eusebe de Salle, in Gazette Medicale, Mai 28, 1831, and Gendrin, in 
Gazette Medicale de Paris, Juin, 1833. 



54 dunglison's new remedies. 

Some have esteemed it an antidote to coffee, in preventing the 
sleeplessness which it occasions. 1 

The common dose of the syrup is two, four to six spoonfuls in 
the course of the day. 

Riecke 2 says, the Medicinalrath Heyfelder informed him, that he 
had employed the syrup of asparagus with good effect in diseases 
of the heart, according to Gendrin's recommendation, and espe- 
cially in hypertrophy of that organ. He found it, moreover, worthy 
of recommendation in dropsy, crusta lactea, and in other cutaneous 
affections, when mixed with the ordinary drink; but it is probable 
that the good effect in these skin diseases was owing to the sugar — 
little, if any, perhaps, being ascribable to the asparagus. 

An extract of asparagus has been recommended recently. It is 
made by macerating the inner, white, strongly odorous portion of 
the sound, not. ligneous, two to three year old, roots in cold water : 
like the syrupus asparagi it is said to retard the circulation of the 
blood, and to dispose to sleep. On account of its disagreeable taste, 
it is given in the form of pill. 

The dose is from oss. to 3ij. in the 24 hours. 



AURI PRtEPARATA. 

Synonymes. Preparations of Gold. 
French. — Les preparations d'Or. 
German.— Goldpraparate. 

The administration of gold in medicine is not modern. In the 
times of alchemy, it was frequently used in nervous diseases, con- 
vulsions, hypochondriasis, mental affections, profuse salivation, <fcc. 
Paracelsus, Horst, and Poterius recommended it, united with cor- 
rosive sublimale, in syphilis. Its violent effects, however, brought 
it into discredit, and during the decadency of alchemy it fell into 
entire disuse. 3 It is probable, too, that many preparations were 
brought forward as containing gold, which had none of it, and this 
may partly account for the discredit into which it lapsed. 4 

M. J. A. Chrestien 5 was the first who — in more modern periods — 
(about the year 1810) recalled the attention of practitioners to the 
use of the preparations of gold, and after him many T physicians 

1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 53. 

2 Op. cit. S. 440. 

3 Richter's Specielle Therapie, x. 504, Berlin, 1823; and Nachet, Art. Or, 
in Diet, des Sciences Medicales, torn, xxxvii. 

4 Riecke, die Neuern Arzneimittel, S. 53. Stuttgart, 1S37. 

5 Recherches et observations sui les effets des preparations d : Or du Dr. 
Chrestien, &c. Paris, 1821. 



AURI PR^PARATA. 55 

employed them, so that the published results of their observations 
have furnished us with a considerable amount of evidence in rela- 
tion to the therapeutical properties of those preparations, and they 
have in consequence, been received into many of the modern 
pharmacopoeias. 1 

As the different preparations agree in their effects on the 
economy, it may be well to make a few observations which apply 
to all. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

Orfila made many experiments to discover the action of the 
preparations of gold on animals. Three dogs, into whose jugular 
veins he injected a small quantity of the muriate of gold dissolved 
in water, died speedily — death being preceded by difficulty and 
rattling in breathing, cough, symptoms of suffocation and slight 
vomiting ; these results supervening immediately after the injection 
had entered the bloodvessels. 

On dissection the lungs were found livid, engorged with blood, 
and without any crepitating noise when cut into : wrinkled, dis- 
coloured, and scarcely lighter than water ; the heart was of a 
violet colour; the left auricle and ventricle full of black blood, and 
the right cavities empty and contracted. The effect of the salt 
supervened with such rapidity, that the blood of the crural artery — 
which was opened a few minutes after death — was of a brownish 
red, almost black, colour. In two dogs, to which he gave the 
muriate of gold, a torpid condition was induced, which termi- 
nated fatally in a couple of days. The mucous membrane of the 
stomach was found inflamed and ulcerated. 

The effects on man of agents, so potent in appropriate doses, 
have been investigated by many observers. Experiments on ani- 
mals had already exhibited the powerful influence, which they are 
capable of exerting on the organs and functions of organic life. 
One of the most prominent effects appears to be, an increase of the 
various secretions ; commonly, the urinary secretion is largely 
augmented, as well as the transpiration, and the intestinal and 
salivary secretions. Not unfrequently, under the continued ad- 
ministration of the gold, actual salivation ensues, which differs, 
however, from that induced by mercury. It is always slow in 
appearing, and is by no means so exhausting as that caused by 
mercury; nor do troublesome ulcers occur; whilst the saliva is 
thinner, and not so tenacious. Like mercury, the preparations of 
gold occasion excitement in the organism, which often ends in a 
true febrile condition : after they have been taken for some time in 
moderate doses, there is generally a feeling of increased warmth in 
the stomach, and an augmentation of the appetite. The pulse is ren- 

1 See Art. Gold, in Encycl. Wurtcrlj. der medicinisch. Wissenschaft. B. 
xv. S. 77. Berlin, 1837. 



56 dunglison's new remedies. 

dered fuller and more active, and the animal heat and vital activity- 
are augmented, so that in such as are predisposed to the affection, 
hemorrhage is apt to take place. The catamenia recur sooner 
than usual under their influence, and the quantity lost may be 
greater. 1 Sooner or later, a regular attack of fever not unfrequently 
supervenes,- — as indicated by shivering pains in the limbs, back, 
and stomach, which may continue for a few hours, but sometimes 
lasts for days, and at length ends by sweating, depositions in the 
urine, and occasionally by salivation. 

In very large doses, the preparations of gold are corrosive poi- 
sons. The symptoms, caused by their use, when they act as such, 
are — oppression in the region of the stomach, nausea, vomiting, 
pains in the abdomen and diaphragm, a metallic taste in the mouth, 
augmented secretion of saliva without the teeth or gums being 
affected, pulse excited and breathing oppressed. 2 As a general 
rule, they are not esteemed proper for impressible individuals ; on 
the other hand, in persons of torpid constitutions they would ap- 
pear to have exerted an excitant influence even on the generative 
system. Certain persons, according to Chrestien and Niel are not 
susceptible of this action ; and again there are some, according to 
Cullerier, Junr., who cannot tolerate them in any form. 

When too large a dose has been given, the remedy should be 
entirely discontinued for some time, or the dose be diminished; the 
effects will soon disappear. One of the greatest recommendations 
of gold over mercury, in the eyes of many, is, that it does not act so 
destructively on the organism, and never induces such a cachectic 
condition as the latter occasionally does. 3 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

The diseases, in which the preparations of gold have been admi- 
nistered, in modern times, are chiefly the following. 

i. Syphilis. — They have been occasionally used in primary 
sores, but have been mainly employed in secondary syphilis, espe- 
cially in old cases, where a doubt often exists, whether there is 
more of mercurial cachexia or of syphilis in the case. They are 
given, also, where there is a scrofulous complication, and where 
it is desirable to exhibit some other remedy than mercury ; and 
lastly, their use is indicated where mercury has failed in removing 
syphilis. 4 Many practitioners doubt whether the preparations of 
gold should be esteemed much inferior to those of mercury. Nu- 
merous experiments, instituted, amongst others, by Chrestien, 5 

1 Riecke, Op. cil. S. 55. 

2 Grulzner, in Rust's Ma^azin, xxi, 3. 

3 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 56. 

4 Eberle, Treatise on the Mat. Medica, 2d edit, i, 247. 

6 Op. citat. S. 6. ; see, also, Lettre a M. Magendie sur les preparations d'Or, 
&c. Paris, 1328. 



AURT PR.EPARATA. 57 

Cnllerier, junr., 1 S. L. Mitchill, 2 Niel, Biett, Lallemand, 3 Wendt, 4 
and Legrand, 5 have shown, that their employment has been most 
advantageous in the different forms of syphilis, and that they have 
rarely disappointed expectation. Alibert found them especially 
useful in syphilitic eruptions. It must be borne in mind, however, 
that when they are given in syphilis, their operation is slow, and 
that, in the first instance, the symptoms may appear aggravated ; 
they are not, therefore, adapted for cases in which it is important 
to act speedily, so as to arrest the disease at once, and prevent its 
farther development. 

2. Gonorrhoea. In protracted cases of gonorrhoea, several physi- 
cians 6 have extolled the preparations of gold ; others, as Wendt 
and Hitter, have advised them for the sequelae of gonorrhoea (Trip- 
pernachlcrankheiten) it is not probable, however, that they could be 
of much use in gonorrheal affections, which, as is well known, are 
curable without any mercurial preparations. 

3. Scrofula. The efficacy of the preparations of gold in 
scrofula, was deposed to by Chrestien, Eberle, Niel, Legrand, 7 
Herrmann, and Kopp. 8 According to observation, it would appear 
that it effects improvement in the mildest cases, and is beneficial 
where there is much torpor, but that it ought to be avoided in 
irritable subjects. In scrofulous ophthalmia, and in scrofulous 
porrigo, it would seem to have been most efficacious. 

Recently, the preparations of gold have been employed by M. 
Baudelocque at the Hopital des Enfans Malades, and by M. 
Velpeau at La Charite. 9 At the former institution, they were given 
in enormous doses. M. Baudelocque gave the hydrochlorate and 
the stannate in doses of from ten to twelve grains, without pro- 
ducing any effect on the disease, and without any apparent injury 
to the constitution of the children subjected to the experiment. 
The oxide of gold prepared by potassa was carried as high as 
twenty grains during the day. At La Charite, Velpeau gave 
fifteen, eighteen, and twenty grains of the hydrochlorate and oxide 
of gold during the day, and higher doses were not tried, solely on 
account of the expense of the medicine. These results are strongly 
discordant from those of Orfila and Devergie, the former of whom 
affirms that the hydrochlorate of gold is more active than the 
corrosive sublimate, and the latter states, that in the dose of one 
tenth to one twentieth of a grain, it produces more or less inflam- 
mation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines. 



1 Diet, des Sciences Medicales, Art. Or. Tom. xxxvii. 

2 Dyckman's Dispensatory, p. 201, and Eberle, Op. cit. 

3 Journal Universe! des Sciences Medicales, t. xxvii. 
* Rust's Magazin, Bd. xvi, St. 1. 

6 Gazette Medicale de Paris, Oct. 30, 1837. 

6 Gmizner, Op. cit. 

7 Bulletin Generale de Therapeutique, No. xv, Aout. 15, 1837. 

8 Denkwiirdigk. in der arztl. Praxis, iii. 351. 

9 L'Expenence, No. lxxxvii.j and Lancet, March 23, 1839, p. 31. 



58 dunglison's new remedies. 

4. Scirrhus and cancer. The utility of the preparations of gold 
appears to have been most decided in scirrhous induration of the 
tongue, according to the observation of Wendt, Helm, and others; 
in such case, they are rubbed on the tongue ; this, indeed, is the 
most common form of administration.- H. Hoffmann relates a case 
of scirrhus of the pylorus, in which the muriate of gold was entirely 
successful ; and frictions with the muriate, or the oxide of gold 
on the labia pudendi have been recommended by Hufeland, Herr- 
mann, Meissner, Grotzner, Gozzi, 1 and others, in cases of scirrhus 
and cancer of the uterus. In the same affections, Krimer has 
advised them to be applied to the os uteri. Scirrhosities, it is 
affirmed, have been dispersed through their agency; and even in 
open cancer marked improvement has been perceptible. 

5. In tumors of the bones, and in like affections, the prepara- 
tions of gold have been employed successfully by some practitioners, 
and especially when the cases originated in syphilis. 

7. Several forms of lepra have been treated with them by Ali- 
bert, and A. T. Chrestien, and with the best effects. 

Lastly. Wendt, Delafield, and Grotzner have administered them 
with benefit as diuretics in dropsy. With others, however, they 
have failed. According to Riecke, 2 the results of experience would 
seem to show, that they are especially adapted for dropsy, depen- 
dent upon organic disease of some viscus. 

None of the preparations of gold are much employed at the 
present day. Their expense is, indeed, a weighty objection — unless 
there were striking advantages in adopting them in special cases 
of disease in preference to other articles of the Materia Medica. 

T. AURI CYANIDUM. 

Synonymes. A. Cyanuretum, Cyanuret, Cyanide or Tercyanide of Gold. 
French. Cyanure d'Or. 

The mode of preparing this combination recommended by M. 
O. Figuier, 3 of Montpellier, is as follows. He decomposes the 
chloride of gold by the cyanuret of potassium, but he states that 
many precautions are necessary to procure it in a pure state. The 
chloride must be as neutral as possible, which can only be done by 
recrystallising the salt several times. The cyanide must not be 
alkaline, or contain any formiate or carbonate of potassa. This 
salt is to be added to the solution of the chloride of gold very 
cautiously as long as there is any precipitate, taking care that 
there is not the slightest excess of the cyanide, as this would cause 

1 Sopra l'uso di alcuni remedii aurifici nelle raalattie venere. Bologn. 
1817; and Omodei, Annal. Univers. di Medicin. vol. v. 

2 Op. cit. S. 58. 

3 Journal de Pharmacie, and Amer. Journ. of Pharra. vi. 82. Philad. 
1833^4. See, for another mode of preparing it. Deferre, in Bulletin General 
de Therapeutique, Fevrier, 1838. 



AURI PRiEPARATA. 59 

a solution of part of the product, and the formation of soluble 
double cyanides. The cyanide, thus made, is to be well washed 
with pure water, and dried in a dark place. 

In some recent experiments Magendie 1 found that the cyanide is 
one of the substances that promote the coagulation of the blood. 
Where, consequently, it is desirable to impress a modification on 
that fluid in chronic cutaneous and other affections, its administra- 
tion might perhaps be found useful. 

M. Pourche, who has used it successfully in syphilis and. scro- 
fula, recommends its administration in the form of frictions on 
the tongue, mixed with powdered orris root, well washed, in 
alcohol, and dried. 

&. Aliri cyamiret. gr. j. 

Pulv. irid. florent. gr. iij. M. 

In pills he prescribes it as follows: — 

&. Auri cyanuret. gr. j. 
Ext. mezereon. gr. iij. 
Pulv. althaeae q. s. ut flat massa. 

Each pill to weigh five grains. 

In children, the dose at first should never exceed one-fifteenth of 
a grain. 

II. AURI IODIDUM. 

Synonymes. Iodide of Gold. 
French. Proto-Iodure d'Or. 

According to the French Codex, this is made by adding a solution 
of pure cyanide of potassium to a solution of chloride of gold, 
collecting the iodide of gold, which falls down, on a filter, and 
washing it with alcohol to remove the excess of iodine, which 
precipitates with it. This has been used in the same cases as the 
other preparations of gold, in the dose of one fifteenth to one tenth 
of a grain. 

III. AURUM METALLICUM. 

Synonymes. Metallic Gold. 
French. Or Metallique. 
German. Metallisches Gold. 

Metallic gold, is either administered in the form of the aurum 
limatum, or gold filings — formed by filing the finest gold with a 
fine toothed file — or in that of the pulvis auri, (Fr. Or divise — 
Germ. Gold/ndver,) which is obtained by amalgamating gold with 
quicksilver, and driving off the quicksilver by heat. 2 According to 

1 Lecons sur le Surg. &c. ; and Translation, in Lancet, January 20, 1839, 
p. 636. 

2 Jouidan's Pharmacopee Universelle, ii. 215. Paris, 1828. 



60 dunglison's new remedies. 

Trommsdorf, a very fine gold powder may likewise be obtained 
by precipitating the gold from a dilute solution of the metal in 
nitro-muriatic acid, by means of green sulphate of iron. The 
precipitate, thus formed, when washed and dried, is of a brownish 
colour, but when polished exhibits the most beautiful golden 
splendour. 1 

Chrestien and Niel have exhibited metallic gold largely, and 
they affirm successfully ; but, according to Wendt, it has no action 
on the economy. It is not easy, indeed, for us to conceive, that a 
substance so difficult of oxidation can have much, if any, effect. 
The former gentleman and Gozzi, regard it as the mildest of the 
preparations of gold, but as equally efficacious with the others, 
although more tardy in producing its effects. 

Metallic gold has been administered in the dose of from a quarter 
of a grain to a grain, three or four times a day, in the form of 
powder or pill; the dose being gradually increased: or it has been 
rubbed daily upon the tongue, in the quantity of from one to three 
grains mixed with starch powder, or the powder of the lycopodium. 
Where the condition of the tongue and of the interior of the mouth 
does not admit of this, Niel advises that a blister should be applied 
on the side of the neck, and that the denuded surface should be 
dressed with a mixture of a grain of gold amalgamated with 
mercury, and half a dram of lard: gradually augmenting the quan- 
tity of gold to two grains. In syphilitic ulcers and excoriations, 
metallic gold is applied externally, amalgamated with the proper 
quantity of mercury, and united with unsalted butter, lard, or 
cerate, in the proportion of twelve grains to one ounce. In syphi- 
litic excrescences, frictions with gold powder, mixed with the saliva, 
are said to have been serviceable. 

The following formulae are given by Riecke. 2 

%. Pulver. auri, gr. vj. 
Amyli. gr. lxvj. 

M. F. pulv. in part, xij aequales divid. 
A powder to be given four times a day. 

&. Pulver. auri. 

Sera, lycopod. aa. gr. ij. 
M. F. pulvis. 
A powder to be rubbed once a day upon the tongue. 

IV. AURUM MURIATICUM. 

Synonymes. Aurum Chloratum, Chloretum Auri, Murias Auri, A. Oxydu- 
latura Muriaticum, Aurum Salitum, Chloruretum Auri, Chloridum Auri, 
Auri Terchloridum, Muriate of Gold, Chloride of Gold, &c. 

French. Chlorure d'Or, Muriate d'Or. 

German. Salzsaures Gold, Chlorgold, Goldchlorid, Salzsaure Goldoxydiil. 

This preparation is received into several of the European Phar- 

1 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimit. S. 58. Stuttgart, 1837. 

2 Ibid. S. 59. 



AURI PR^EPARATA. 6^ 

macopoeias, and is usually formed by digesting one part of gold 
leaf in three parts of the nitro-muriatic acid in a sand bath, and 
evaporating gently to dryness. Magendie, 1 however, recommends 
the following method. 

Take one part of fine leaf gold, divide it into small portions, and 
put it into a vial of white glass, pour upon it three parts of aqua 
regia — formed of one part of nitric acid and two parts of muriatic 
acid — and heat the whole in a small sand bath, so arranged, that 
in case the retort breaks the fluid may be recovered without loss. 
The solution of the gold will soon lake place. The fluid must 
then be evaporated until the smell of chlorine is perceptible. This 
point can be readily determined, as after the decomposition of the 
aqua regia there is a period during which the nitrous acid is alone 
given off. The disengagement of the chlorine indicates the com- 
mencement of the decomposition of the chloride formed. The 
vessel must now be removed from the fire and suffered to cool. 
The chloride appears immediately as a crystalline mass, in the 
form of a multitude of beautiful yellow needles. In this condition, 
the chloride of gold is as pure as it need be: it contains no excess 
of muriatic acid, and is not deliquescent. 

It can be preserved in the same vessel in which it has been pre- 
pared — by merely stopping it with paper — without any danger of 
its undergoing decomposition. 

Wendt directs it to be formed in the following manner. 

$t. Auri puri quantum placet, 
Solve in 

Acid, nitric, part, j, 

muriat. pur. part, iij, 

Deinde leni calore evapora ad siccum in vase vitreo. Massam remanen- 
tem saturaiam dissolve in aq. distill., solutam filtra et ad crystallisandum 
sepone. Crystallos collectos tere in mortario porcellaneo supra arenam 
calidam ad siccum. Sal concretum statiin, ne humidi quid attrahat, in vitro 
obturato serva. 2 

Muriate of gold, prepared according to Magendie's formula, is 
very acid, but this property is not owing to its containing any free 
acid. The taste is also styptic and disagreeable. It only attracts 
moisture from the air when it contains an excess of muriatic acid, 
as is the case in Wendt's preparation. It is readily soluble in 
water with which it forms a solution of a beautiful yellow colour. 

Many animal and vegetable substances, and especially the epi- 

1 Formulaire. 

1 Take of pure gold at pleasure, 

Dissolve in 

Nitric acid, one part, 
Muriatic acid, three parts, 
Then evaporate with a gentle heat to dryness in a glass vessel. Dissolve 
the saturated remaining mass in distilled water, filter the solution and set it 
aside to crystallise. Rub the collected crystals in a porcelain mortar over 
warm sand to dryness. Keep the concrete salt in a well stopped glass vessel 
to prevent it from attracting moisture. 



62 dunglison's new remedies. 

dermis, are coloured by it of a purple violet when it is placed in 
contact with them. Exposed to a moderate heat, it passes to the 
state of protochloride. When heated to a greater degree, in close 
vessels, chlorine is disengaged and metallic gold left behind. 

Wendt's preparation, when dissolved, is very easily decomposed, 
and it has therefore to be kept from the influence of light and air. 

The chloride is one of the most active of the preparations of 
gold. It belongs to the class of corrosive poisons, 1 and greatly 
resembles corrosive sublimate in its operation on the economy. It 
must consequently be administered with caution — even a tenth of 
a grain has been known to induce unpleasant irritation of the 
stomach. 2 It has been given both internally and externally in 
syphilis, dropsy, 3 and glandular affections. 

The dose is from one sixteenth to one twelfth of a grain once or 
twice a day, being gradually but slowly increased. In the like 
quantity it has been rubbed upon the tongue and gums. Exter- 
nally it has been applied in the form of ointment or watery solu- 
tion — the last more particularly in ophthalmia, especially of the 
scrofulous kind, in which Jahn found it very efficacious. 

The following are some of the forms in which it has been pre- 
scribed. 

Boli Antisyphilitici (Pharmacopoeia Batava.) 

Antisyphilitic Boluses. 

31. Chloruret. auri, gr. ss ad gr. ij. 

Extract, aconit. gr. vj ad gr. xij. Fiant boli sex. 

Two of these to be taken for a dose, and repeated three times a 
day. 

PilulcB Chlorureti Auri, (Ph. Amstelodamensis nova.) 

Pills of Chloride of Gold. 

^. Chloruret. auri, gr x. 

Pulv. rad. glycyrrhiz. jiij. 
Syrup, q. s. ut fiant pilulse cl. 

Dose. — One daily, gradually augmenting the quantity. 

&. Auri muriatic, gr i. 

Pulv. lycopod. gr. xv. M. fiat pulv. in part, xvi dividend. 

One of the powders to be rubbed upon the tongue and gums 
daily. Chrestien. 

Gradually, the same quantity of the muriate may be divided into 
twelve and ten parts, and used in the same way. 

1 Orfila, Toxicolog. i, 593. 

2 Magendie,' Formulaire. 

3 Wendt, in Rust's Magazin, B. xxv. 



AURI PR.3EPARATA, 63 

Unguentum Auri Muriatici. 

Ointment of Chloride of Gold. 

9<. Auri muriatic, gr. iv. 
Misce intime cum. 

Ung. rosat. %}. 

For external use. Wendt. 

Collyrium Auri Muriatici. 

Collyrium of Chloride of Gold. 

?/. Auri muriat. gr ij. 
Solve in aquae distill, gvj. 
F. collyrium. 

To be applied by means of linen compresses, or dropped into the 
eye. Jahn. 

V. AURUM MURIATICUM NATRONATUM. 

Synonymes. — Aurum Mariaticum (Pharmac. Borussic), Aurum Chloratum 
Natronatum, Sodii Auro-Terchloridum, Perchloruretum Auri et Sodii, 
Chloretum Auri cum chloreto Natrii, Murias Aurico-natricum, Chloru- 
retum Auri et Sodii, Chloride of Gold and Sodium, Hydrochlorate or 
Muriate of Gold and Soda, Auro-terchloride of Sodium. 

French. — Hydrochlorate ou Muriate d'Or et de Soude. 

German. — Salzsaures Goldnatrum, Chlorgoldnatronium, Goldnatrium- 
chlorid. 

This preparation is in the Pharmacopoeias of Prussia, Ferrara, 
Sweden, &c. 

Figuier directs it to be prepared in the following manner. 1 Dis- 
solve four parts of gold in aqua regia, and evaporate the solution 
to dryness ; add thirty-two parts of water, and one part of chloride 
of sodium, and evaporate to one half. On cooling, crystals will 
form, which consist of 69.3 parts of chloride of gold ; 14.1 parts 
of chloride of sodium, and 16.6 of water. 

The formula of the Prussian Pharmacopoeia is as follows : — 

&. Auri, partes vj. 
Solve in 

Acidi muriatici, q. s. 
Acidi nitrici quantum ad auri solutionem requiritur, guttatim addendo. 
Tunc admisce 

Natri muriatici. sice part. x. 
Et post solutionem leni igne evaporando 
in pulverem fiavum redige. 2 

1 Annales de Chimie Fevrier, 1822, and Riecke, Dieneuern Arzneimittel, 
S. 63, Stuttgart, 1837. 
1 Take of gold, six parts : 

Dissolve in a sufficient quantity of 

Muriatic acid, adding as much nitric acid as is required to dissolve 
the gold. Then mix ten parts of dry muriate of soda ; and after evaporating 
the solution over a slow fire reduce it to a yellow powder. 



64 dunglison's new remedies. 

This preparation has a beautiful yellow colour, and appears 
under the form of four-sided prisms. It attracts moisture from the 
air, but to a less degree than the chloride of gold with excess of 
sulphuric acid. 

The Aurum Muriaticum Natronatum of the Germans is milder 
than the preceding preparation, and is more frequently adminis- 
tered, especially in Germany, than any of the preparations of gold. 
It is used both internally and externally. 

The dose is about the same as that of the last preparation, but it 
may be carried higher. 

Kopp affirms, 1 that he has frequently employed this preparation 
with advantage in scrofulous tumefaction of the upper lip, when 
given in small doses. He prescribed daily, and once or twice a 
day, from one twenty-fourth to one thirtieth of a grain of the 
aurum muriaticum natronatum, reduced to a powder with two 
grains of sugar, and by means of the finger rubbed on the inner 
side of the affected lip. In adults with scrofulous, thick, sensible, 
and slightly inflamed nose, Riecke 2 recommends the ointment given 
below to be applied to the nasal fossa?, and three times a day a 
powder composed of from one sixteenth to one twelfth of a grain 
of the salt of gold to two grains of sugar (Milchzucker), to be rub- 
bed on the gums with the moistened finger. The salts of gold, 
according to Riecke, appear to have a specific action on the or- 
gans in the mouth, on the gums and the nose ! 

Pulvis Perchlorureti Auri et Sodii. 

Powder of Perchloruret of Gold and Sodium. 

5<. Auri et sodii perchlorureti, part. iij. 
Irid. florent. in pulv. subtil, part. ix. 

Three grains of this represent three quarters of a grain of the 
salt of gold. These three grains are divided into thirty frictions for 
the weakest doses, and into three for the strongest. Starch may be 
substituted for the powdered orris root. Legrand. 

Solutio Auri Muriatici Natronati. 

Solution of Muriate of Gold and Soda. 

5<. Auri muriat. natron, gr. ij. 
Aquae distillat. 3J. M. 

Ten drops to be given every two or three hours, in cases of 
dropsy. Groetzner. 

1 Op. cit. B. iii, S. 351. 

2 Die neuern Arzneiraittel, u. s. w. S. 442. 



AURI PRiEPARATA. 65 

PilulcB Auri Muriatici Natronati. 

Pills of Muriate of Gold and Soda. 

£. Auri muriat. natronat. ia aquse distillat. q. s. solut. gr. iv. 
Extract, aconiti, Qss. 

stipit. dulcarn. gj. 

Pulv. rad. althssae, q. s. ut fiant pilulse Nro. Ixxx. 

Three pills to be taken three times a day. Grotzner. 

PastiUi Auri Muriatici Natronati. 

Lozenges of Muriate of Gold and Soda. 

rl. Auri muriat. natron, gr v. 
Pulv. sacchar. alb. ^j. 
Misce exacte in mortar, vitreo. 

Mucilag. gum. arabic. q. s. ut fiant pastillilx. 

Each of these will contain about one twelfth of a grain of the 
salt. A. T. Chrestien. 

Pilula Auri Muriatici Natronati. 

Pills of Muriate of Gold and Soda. 

£. Amyli. solan, tuberos. gr. iv. 
Gum. arab. jj. 
In mort. vitr. exacte mistis adde terendo 

Aur. mur. natron. — in 3j aq. distillat. solut. — gr. x. 
Fiant pilulse cxx. 

Each of these contains about one twelfth of a grain. 

A. T. Chrestien. 

Unguentum Auri Muriatici Natronati. 

Ointment of Muriate of Gold and Soda. 

£. Aur. muriat. natron, gr. iij — iv. 
Axung. porcin. §ss. 
Misce exacte. Fiat unguentum. 

Used in friction. Grotzner. 

B<. Aur. muriat. natron, gr. iiss. 
Adipis recent. Z'\ss. M. 

The size of a bean to be placed in the nasal fossae in scrofulous 
cases 1 along with the iatraleiptic use of the powder before described. 

RlECKE. 

VI. AURUM NITRICO-MURIATICUM. 

Synonymes. Auri Nitromurias. 
German. — Saltpetersalzsaures Gold. 

The nitromuriate of gold has been recommended of late years 
by Recamier, whose attention was directed to it by accident. 
A worker in gold had a cancerous tumor on the back, which, as 
it incommoded him, he touched frequently with the hand; this 

1 See page 64. 
7— a dungl 5 



66 dunglison's new remedies. 

occurred whilst he was dissolving gold in aqua regia; after this 
the tumour soon presented another appearance, and disappeared in 
a short time. Recamier thought it probable, that the workman had 
received some of the solution upon his fingers, which had thus 
been applied to the tumour. Under such impressions, he employed 
it in the case of a female, who was affected with an extensive 
cancer; the disorganised parts resumed their natural texture, and 
completely healed, although the cancerous dyscrasy ultimately 
proved fatal. In the case of a female, with fungus of the neck of 
the uterus, a complete cure was effected by it; and in cancer of 
the uterus he found it very advantageous. 

Recamier prepares it by dissolving six grains of pure muriate of 
gold in an ounce of aqua regia: and he applies it like other corro- 
sive agents, taking care to confine it to the parts to be acted upon. 
When the object is to cauterise, it must be applied to the affected 
parts, until a whitish scab or crust is formed, which falls off* in 
three or four days ; after which the application may be repeated as 
often as may be necessary. The pain, caused by the operation, is 
generally insignificant and in cases where it is violent it can be 
allayed by pledgets dipped in laudanum. 

VII. AURUM OXYDATUM. 

Synonymes. Oxydum Auri, Auri Teroxidum, Oxide of Gold, Peroxide of 

Gold, Auric Acid. 
French. — Oxide d'Or. 
German. — Goldoxyd, Oxydirtes Gold. 

The oxide of gold prepared by calcination is the crocus soils of 
the Wirtemberg Pharmacopoeia. The oxide is received also into 
the Pharmacopoeias of Ferrara, and Hannover. 

Magendie 1 recommends the following as one of the modes of 
preparation. 

Take any quantity of chloride of gold, put it into a flask of white 
glass and pour upon it six or seven times its weight of boiling 
water, to dissolve the chloride ; then add crystallised baryta gra- 
dually, until the liquid is no longer acid, as shown by a strip of 
litmus paper. The liquid is then boiled, permitted to cool, and 
filtered. The precipitate is washed several times with warm 
water ; the water of the various washings is brought together and 
evaporated nearly to dryness; the saline mass when cool is then 
dissolved in water, and in this way more and more oxide of gold is 
obtained, which may be added to the other. 

The oxide of gold is now washed with boiling water, until the 
water no longer affords a precipitate on the addition of nitrate of 
silver. It is then washed once or twice with water acidulated with 
nitric acid, to remove the small quantity of carbonate of baryta 
formed during the operation, and which may remain mixed with 
the oxide. These washings are repeated with cold water, until the 

1 Formulaire, &c. 



BALLOTA LANATA. 67 

instillation of sulphuric acid occasions no longer any white pre- 
cipitate, which indicates that it is free from baryta. 

The oxide is then dried at a heat of from 167° to 190° of Fah- 
renheit, after which it is kept in a cool and dark place in a well- 
stopped bottle. 

The process recommended by M. Cottereau is the following. — 
An excess of magnesia must be boiled with a dilute solution of mu- 
riate of gold, till the solution loses its colour ; the whole is then to 
be filtered, and the precipitate well washed ; the result, which is 
aurate of magnesia,. is to be treated with an excess of diluted nitric 
acid, which removes all the magnesia, and leaves the oxide in a 
pure state. This is to be again well washed and dried between 
sheets of bibulous paper, but without compression or exposure to 
light or heat. 1 

In the French Codex it is directed to be prepared by boiling four 
parts of calcined magnesia with one part of terchloride of gold and 
forty parts of water. Then wash, first with water to remove the 
chloride of magnesium, and afterwards with dilute nitric acid to 
dissolve the excess of magnesia. 2 

In the condition of a hydrate, the oxide of gold is of a yellow 
colour, but when dried of a blackish violet. It is never entirely 
soluble in muriatic acid, always leaving behind a small portion, 
which is reduced to the metallic state during desiccation. Neither 
sulphuric nor nitric acid has an action upon it. 

The oxide of gold has been administered by many physicians, 
and especially by Westring, Neil, Chrestien, and Legrand, 3 in the 
same diseases as the other preparations. 



BALLOTA LANATA. 

Synonymes. Leonurus Lanata. 
German. — Wolliger Wolfstrapp. 

This plant belongs to the natural family Labiatas, and to the class 
Didynamia, order Gymnospermia. It grows exclusively and com- 
monly in Siberia, in dry mountainous regions. 

In its native country it has been long administered as a powerful 
diuretic, especially in dropsy. Both Gmelin and Pallas refer to it 
in this respect in their travels in Siberia. Within the last few years, 
its use has extended elsewhere ; and it is now frequently employed 
in Russia, Germany, and Italy. It is said to be often adulterated 

1 Amer. Joum. of Pharm. 2d series, ii, 110. Philad. 1837. 

* Pereira, Elements of Materia Medica, Pt. i, p. 424. Lond. 1839. 

3 Op. citat. 



68 dunglison's new remedies. 

with the leonurus cardiaca, ballota nigra and marrubium ;" and it 
is important, that the genuine Siberian plant should be used, as 
the observations of Brera have shown the cultivated plant to be 
very powerless. For medicinal purposes, the whole plant has been 
employed, with the exception of the root. 

The diseases, in which the ballota lanata has been administered 
abroad — for it has not been employed in this country — are the fol- 
lowing : — 

1. Dropsy. — Rehmann prescribed it several times with decided 
advantage ; and where organic disease prevented the cure, the 
urinary secretion was always largely augmented by it. The che- 
mical condition of the urine was likewise strikingly changed 
during its use ; at first, it was whitish, afterwards darker, and ulti- 
mately almost black or of a deep brown, like the darkest beer. At 
times, according to Rehmann, when the accumulation of fluid was 
pretty well removed, a pain would occur in the hypochondres, indi- 
cating that the use of the ballota should be laid aside. Schilling, in 
Werchny-Udinsk, asserts, that he cured several cases of dropsy by 
it. Rupprecht and Muhrbeck administered it with the best effects, 
and Brera 2 found it extremely serviceable in hydropic conditions, 
especially where they had been preceded by, or were complicated 
with, rheumatic or gouty affections. Luzzato prescribed it with 
equal success; and Heyfelder who gave it according to the pre- 
scription of the Russian physicians, observed the urine to be of a 
blackish yellow hue at the commencement, and afterwards of a 
very dark colour. He found, however, that to keep up the diuresis 
it was requisite to combine it with other diuretics, or to change it 
for other agents. 

2. Rheumatism and Gout. — In these diseases, the ballota is 
administered in Siberia. Brera, as well as his compatriots, Ghi- 
della, Fontebuoni and Luzzato, have tested its efficacy by repeated 
trials. The pains generally soon disappeared under its use, and a 
cure took place without a relapse. 

3. Adiposis. — In a case of this kind, it was exhibited in St. 
Petersburg by Dr. Weisse. The fatness was inordinate, and the 
remedy acted most favourably. It did not, however, occasion 
diuresis, but under its use an hemorrhoidal flux returned, which 
had previously been arrested. 



MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Decoction is the best form for administering the plant; from 
gss to §j to gviij of water ; — this portion to be divided into two 
halves, and to be taken in the course of the day. Rehmann boils 
§iss to §ij of the coarse powdered plant in Ifeij of water down to 

1 Schmidt's Jahrbuch der in- und auslandisch. gesammt. Medicin. B. 
iv, S. 275, and Riecke, Op. cit. S. 68. 
8 Antologia Medica, No. 2. Febbrajo, 1835. 



BARYUM IODATUM, AND BARYTA HYDRIODICA. 69 

half; to which he adds, according to circumstances, some diffusible 
excitant or a few drops of laudanum. Of this mixture he directs a 
cupful to be taken morning and evening, gradually increasing the 
dose. 



BARYUM IODATUM. 

Synonymes. Baryi iodidum, Iodide of Baryum. 
German. — Iodbaryum. 

AND 

BARYTA HYDRIODICA. 

Synonymes. Hydras Baryi Iodati, Hydriodas Baryta?, Hydriodate of Ba- 
ryta. 
German. Iodwasserstoffsaure Schwererde ; Hydriodsaurer Baryt. 

This preparation has been introduced quite recently. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

According to Tunnermann, the iodide of baryum is prepared by 
heating the hydriodate of baryta for a sufficient length of time, ex- 
cluding the light; by the admission of air, the iodide is converted 
into baryum and free iodine. As the iodide of baryum, when it 
comes in contact with water — as is commonly the case, in pre- 
scriptions, — is immediately converted into hydriodate of baryta, it 
is simpler to employ the latter altogether. 

The hydriodate of baryta is obtained by boiling baryta earth in 
a solution of iodide of iron in water (made by taking one part of 
pure iron filings, and four parts of iodine, pouring upon them 
from six to eight parts of water, agitating frequently and applying 
warmth gently until the fluid appears clear and almost colourless), 
or, what is cheaper, by boiling the solution of iodide of iron with 
carbonate of baryta, which must be added in small portions so long 
as there is any effervescence. 

The fluid obtained by either process, after filtering, must be clear 
and neutral, and yield no bluish or blue precipitate with the ferro- 
cyanate of potassa; should it yield a precipitate, the decomposition 
of the salt of iron is incomplete. Should the solution, formed in 
the first manner, have an alkaline reaction, the excess of baryta 
must be removed by exposing the mixture to the air, whereby it 
becomes converted into a carbonate, and falls to the bottom. The 
solution is then evaporated until a pellicle forms, the heat being 
gentle; the crystals are placed quickly between printing paper 
(Druckpapier) and kept in a well stopped glass vessel. They form 
white radiated plates, which easily deliquesce in the air, and on 



70 dunglison's new remedies. 

that account cannot be prescribed in the form of powder, but may- 
be dissolved in some aromatic water. 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Jahn instituted several experiments with the iodide of baryum 
and the hydriodate of baryta, both on plants, on animals, and on 
man in a state of health and disease. In considerable doses, it 
acts as a poison on the organism, and as one of the acrid class. 
Administered in very small doses, and with great circumspection, 
he found it to be serviceable in scrofulous and similar morbid con- 
ditions, and as an alterative in morbid growths, hypertrophy, 
chronic inflammation, &c, in which conditions it proved equally 
useful with the muriate of baryta, mercury, or iodine. 1 Jahn's ob- 
servations did not, however, lead him to speak positively regarding 
its advantages or defects ; and he adds the caution — " Caute, per 
Deos, incede, latet ignis sub cinere doloso." Jahn's observations 
were published in 1830, and, according to Riecke, he has been 
since silent on the subject. Rothamel administered the hydriodate 
in a desperate case of scrofula, occurring in a patient twenty-one 
years of age, with great success. He began with one eighth of a 
grain three times a day, and increased the dose gradually during a 
protracted administration of the article, until three grains were 
taken four times daily. 

Biett has administered it frequently in cases of scrofulous swell- 
ings, and at times externally, according to the following form. 

B<. Baryi iodai. gi. iv. 

Axungiae, 3j. M. fiat unguentum. 



BERBERINA. 

Synonvmes. Berberinum, Berberine. 
German. Berberin. 

The inner bark of theBerberis vulgaris is of a yellow colour, 
and a bitterish, somewhat astringent, taste. It is cathartic, and 
was formerly used in jaundice; originally, perhaps, in consequence 
of the "signature" of the yellow colour. 3 In more modern times, 
it has been again recommended in the same disease on the faith of 
experiments. 3 

The bitter principle of the root was discovered a few years ago 

1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 71. 

1 Ray's Historia Plant, ii, 605. 

3 Lond. Med. Repos., new series, i, 38. 



BERBERINA. 71 

by Buchner and Herberger, and its properties have been investigated 
by Brandes. 1 Buchner first recommended, at a meeting of the 
German Association of Naturalists and Physicians in the year 
1834, that it should be received into the Materia Medica; but 
hitherto few experiments have been made with it. , 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

An alcoholic extract of the root of the berberis vulgaris is pre- 
pared, to which water is added. This throws down a pulverulent 
brown substance; the fluid is then poured off; and the substance 
dried ; it is then treated with alcohol, which takes up the berberine, 
leaving a small portion undissolved. By evaporating the alcohol, 
the berberine remains. 2 

Thus prepared, berberine resembles an extract; it is of a 
brownish yellow colour, translucent, and smells like the root ; 
its taste is a pure bitter, and it becomes soft in the air. Buchner 3 
succeeded in obtaining the bitter principle pure, and in a 
crystalline form. Its reaction is neither alkaline nor acid ; it is 
soluble in alcohol and water, but not so readily in the latter as 
in the former. When crystallised, it requires 600 parts of water 
for its solution ; whilst in alcohol, at a medium temperature, it is 
soluble in 100 parts. It approximates the alcaloids in its nature, 
as with certain acids it forms crystallisable compounds. It is not 
soluble in ether. The brownish yellow solution formed by it, is 
turned of a reddish brown by alkalies, like the infusion of rhubarb, 
and acids restore the colour. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

According to Buchner, no injurious consequences are to be 
apprehended from the administration of berberine as a therapeutical 
agent: of this he had an opportunity of satisfying himself both on his 
own person and on others. When labouring under indigestion, he 
took it with the best effects ; not only was the dyspepsia removed, 
but also a yellow htie of the skin which had previously existed. 
He recommends it, therefore, as an excellent stomachic, especially 
when there is disturbance of the functions of the liver. In doses of 
two, five or ten grains, it only aids the appetite, but in larger doses 
— fifteen to twenty grains — it acts upon the bowels without in- 
ducing tormina, and therefore not as a drastic. 

Within the last few years Koch has published some observations 
on the use of the berberine. He treated several cases with it as 
prepared by Buchner himself, when he found all his results con- 
firmed, and that it merited a high rank amongst bitter agents. He 

1 Archiv. der Apolheker Vereins, ii, 29. 
1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 442. 

8 Journal de Pharmacie, and Philadelphia Journal of Pharmacy, vii, 328 
Philadelphia, 1835. 



72 dunglison's new remedies. 

gives two cases of marked disturbance of the digestive function, in 
which the berberine afforded essential service. 



BIGNONIA CATALPA (SILIQU^). 

Synonymes. Catalpa, Catalpa Cordifolia, C. Arborescens, C. Arborea, 
Catalpa or Catawba Tree. 

The Bignonia catalpa belongs to the natural family Bigno- 
niacese ; class Didynamia ; order Angiospermia. It is a tree well 
known in this country, but is not applied to any medicinal use. 

According to Kampfer and Thunberg, the Japanese physicians 
consider the pods of the Bignonia catalpa to be a powerful remedy 
in different asthmatic affections. This gave occasion to several 
Neapolitan physicians — and especially to Professor Antonucci — to 
institute experiments in reference to its virtues, and their report 
was decidedly favourable. Brera also extols it in asthma. 

As to the precise mode in which it acts, we have no exact 
information. Dierbach and Richter, according to Riecke, 1 place it 
amongst the Acria ; whilst, according to the analysis of Grosso, 2 it 
seems more probable that its active principle is of a fatty nature, 
resembling the butter of the cacao. We think it extremely proba- 
ble, that it possesses no other virtues than those of a simple demul- 
cent, and that the properties ascribed to it have been mainly, if not 
wholly, derived from the substances associated with it. Brera, for 
example, administered it with the following additions : 3 



Adde 
Or 



Adde 



Siliquar. catalp. gss. 

Aquae fontan. q. s. ad colatur. ^viij. 



Oxymel. scillae, gss. 



Siliquar. catalp. 3*ss. 

Senega? rad. ^ij. 

Aquae footan. q. s. ad colatur. gviij. 



Oxymel. scillae, 31. 
To be taken by little and little. 



1 Op. cit. S.72. 

2 Gazette Medicale de Paris, 1834, p. S. 

3 Ricettario clinico, Pad. 1825. 



BOLETUS LARICIS. BRAYERA ANTHELMINTICA. 73 



BOLETUS LARICIS. 

Synonymes. Boletus purgans, B. albus, Agaricus albus, Fungus Laricis, 

Polyporus officinalis, Fungus of the Larch. 
French. Agaric blanc. 
German. Lerschenschwamm. 

This fungus grows on the stem and larger branches of the larch. 
Formerly it was administered as a cathartic, but in this respect it 
has become obsolete. Still it is retained in many pharmacopoeias ; 
for example, in those of Amsterdam, Bavaria, Brunswick, Paris, 
Ferrara, Geneva, Hamburg, Hanover, Oldenburg, Poland, Prussia, 
Saxony, Sweden, Wirtemberg, and Wurzburg. Recently, it has 
been administered frequently in the colliquative sweats of phthisis. 
Barbut of Nismes made many trials with it, 1 which were favour- 
able ; and the experience of Andral was similar. 2 By several of 
the German physicians equally advantageous results have been 
obtained — as by Toel and Trautzsch, so that, as Riecke 3 suggests, 
it deserves, perhaps, to be better known and investigated. Re- 
cently, Kopp has added his testimony in its favour. 4 

Formerly, as a cathartic, half a dram to a dram of the powdered 
boletus was given. In profuse diaphoresis it is administered in 
doses of from two to six grains. This dose, repeated for a few 
evenings, according to Barbut, arrests the sweating ; — Riecke thinks 
through its revellent excitation of the abdominal nerves, for which 
reason he suggests, that the propriety of the union of opiates with 
it, to prevent its purgative effect, may be questionable. 

Kopp gives it in the dose of three grains, morning, noon, and 
night. If it acts upon the bowels, which is rarely the case, the 
dose must be diminished. 



BRAYERA ANTHELMINTICA. 

This plant is a native of Abyssinia, and belongs to the family 
Rosaceae Sanguisorbea3 of Decandolle, Icosandria Digynia of Lin- 
naeus. It was first taken from Abyssinia to Europe by Dr. Brayer, 
from whom it received its name. The flowers are the parts used 
in medicine, and they yield, on examination, an extractive matter, 

1 Burdach, in Journal der praktisch. Heilkund. von Hufeland, Mar. 1830. 

2 Journal de Pharmacie, vol. xx. 

3 Op. cit. S. 73. 

4 Denkwurdigk. in der arztlich. Praxis. Frankf. 1S36, S. 344, cited by 
Riecke. 



74 dungltson's new remedies. 

containing tannin, which is most readily taken up by hot water, 
and, consequently, the decoction is the best preparation. 

In Abyssinia, the flowers of the brayera are said to have been 
employed with the greatest success in tapeworm, but in Europe, 
no experiments had been made with them until Dr. Plieninger, 
having become acquainted with a missionary from Abyssinia, and 
heard his description of their wonderful effects, obtained some of 
the flowers from him, 1 which he subjected to his friend Dr. Kurr, 
who descried on examination the principles above mentioned. 

With the rest of the flowers Dr. Plieninger made trial in two 
cases. He took a handful of the blossoms, about §j or giss and 
boiled them in §xvi of water down to one half, adding to the 
strained liquor as much honey as counteracted, in some measure, 
the objectionable taste. This decoction was taken by a delicate 
woman about 30 years of age, who had previously taken the ex- 
tractum filicis maris in pilular form, according to Peschier's plan, 
without success. In the course of the day she passed numerous 
fragments of taenia, mixed with mucous discharges, without ex- 
periencing any striking inconvenience from the remedy. From 
this time, she remained free from the parasite. 

A robust man. 38 years of age, who had taken large quantities 
of tartar emetic in consequence of violent inflammation of the 
lungs whilst he lay sick of this disease, discharged a great many 
portions of taenia, without having previously experienced any 
inconvenience from the presence of the entozoon. In July, 1834, 
he took the same decoction. Since then he has had no appearance 
of the taenia in his evacuations. 

Although but few cases have occurred in which the brayera has 
been administered in European practice, Dr. Plieninger considers, 
that it is a valuable addition to the materia medica, inasmuch as 
it can be administered to delicate persons and children, without 
violence being done to the whole organism, as is the case with 
many of the true anthelmintics. The article has not been imported 
in sufficient quantities into Europe to admit of the necessary trials 
for fully testing its efficacy. In this country — so far as we know — 
it has not yet been seen. 



BROMINUM. 

Synonymes. Bromium, Brominium, Muride, Bromine. 
French. Brome. 
German. Brom. 

This elementary substance was discovered in 1826, by Balard, 
of Montpellier. In its chemical properties it is allied to chlorine 

1 Riecke Op. cit. S. 73. 



BR0MINUM. 75 

and iodine. Balard detected it whilst occupied in some investiga- 
tions on the water of saltponds, and gave it the name bromine — 
from 0f0f*o ? , "a stench or smell" — on account of its disagreeable 
odour. It is met with chiefly in sea water, and in certain animal 
and vegetable substances that live therein. It has likewise been 
found in many mineral waters, of this and other countries, and 
especially in the salt springs — as of Salina, by Professor Silliman, 
and of Kenawha, by Professor Emmet. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Balard's mode of preparing Bromine consists in passing a current 
of chlorine through bittern, after which ether is added, and the two 
liquids are strongly agitated. The chlorine decomposes the hydro- 
bromate of magnesia — the form in which the bromine exists in the 
bittern — and converts the hydrobromate into a muriate of magnesia, 
setting the bromine free. The ether dissolves the evolved bromine, 
the mixture assuming a hyacinth red colour. The ethereal solu- 
tion is agitated with caustic potassa, by which hydrobromate of 
potassa is generated ; the ether becoming colourless and pure, and 
fit to be used for dissolving fresh portions of bromine. When a 
sufficient quantity of the hydrobromate has been obtained, it is 
mixed in a retort with peroxide of manganese, and acted on by 
dilute sulphuric acid, by which the bromine is given off. The 
sulphuric acid sets free the hydrobromic acid, which, at the 
moment of its disengagement, is deprived of its hydrogen, by the 
oxygen of the peroxide of manganese, and is thereby converted into 
bromine. The bromine passes over in reddish vapours, and is 
made to condense under water, contained in an appropriate 
receiver. 

M. Bussy 1 prefers the following form. The mother waters of 
kelp (Soude de Varecq), after iodine has been precipitated from 
them by means of chlorine, contain bromine in the state of a 
metallic bromide, when care is taken to add no more chlorine than 
is required to precipitate all the iodine. To 1250 parts of these 
mother waters, 32 parts of peroxide of manganese in powder, and 
24 of common sulphuric acid at 66° are added. The mixture is 
then put into a tubulated glass retort, to which a tubulated receiver 
is adapted, and to the latter a tube, which dips into a flask. The 
retort and receiver as well as the tube must be ground so as to fit 
accurately without lutes or corks, which would be destroyed by 
the chlorine. 

Every thing being arranged, the retort is heated until the liquid 
is made to boil, when the bromine condenses in the receiver under 
the form of red oily striae, with a small quantity of water. The 
operation must be arrested when the red vapours cease to be 
produced. 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, Janvier, 1837. 



76 dunglison's new remedies. 

By slightly heating the receiver, without dismounting the appa- 
ratus, the bromine may be made to pass over into the flask, in 
which it will condense on cooling. 

The mother waters used in this preparation should not be 
rejected, until it is evident on the addition of a fresli quantity of 
sulphuric acid and oxide of manganese, that they contain no more 
bromine. 

Bromine, at the ordinary temperature, is a fluid of a blackish 
red colour, when regarded in quantities, — but of a hyacinth red 
when placed in a thin layer between the eye and the light. Its 
smell is strong and disagreeable, resembling that, of chlorine. Its 
taste is strong. It colours the skin yellow — the colour gradually 
disappearing of itself. Its specific gravity is 2.9(36. It is readily 
set free; and, when volatilised, assumes the form of dark red 
vapours. It boils at 117° ; is soluble in water, and the solution is 
of a yellow colour. In its chemical relations with other bodies, 
bromine, as before observed, resembles chlorine and iodine ; but 
the chlorine appears to have more power, and the iodine less, than 
the bromine, as the bromine is separated from all its combinations 
by the chlorine, whilst it decomposes the compounds of iodine, and 
assumes the place of the latter. It forms acids both with oxygen 
and hydrogen. 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

Experiments have been instituted to discover the influence of 
bromine on the animal economy, and especially by Barthez. 1 In 
this respect, also, bromine resembles iodine, and like it belongs to 
the class of irritant poisons. Twelve grains of bromine, dissolved 
in water and injected into the jugular vein of a dog, destroyed it 
almost instantaneously. Cough occurred; the respiration and 
circulation were accelerated; the pupils dilated; the male organ 
was erect ; and these signs were followed by involuntary dis- 
charge of the excrement, and at times stiffness of the upper and 
lower extremities. On dissection, Barthez found the cavities of the 
heart full of coagulated blood, and the lungs gorged with the same 
fluid ; in the venae cavae there were dark coagula ; and, in the 
stomach and intestines, small, bloody, blackish cylinders, similar 
to cylinders of lunar caustic. 

The same quantity introduced into the stomach caused death in 
three or four days, when the oesophagus was tied; when, however, 
the animal was able to vomit, fifty to sixty drops were requisite. 
The poison acts less intensely when it is given in conjunction with 
aliment ; it produces coughing, excitement, nausea and vomiting : 
constant sucking of the tongue was noticed, with frequently 
extraordinary restlessness and anxiety, and debility gradually aug- 

1 De Paction du Brome, &c. (These) Paris, 1828. See, also Fournet, in 
Bulletin Generate de Therapeutique, Fevrier, 1838. 



BROMINUM. 77 

meriting until death. On opening the body the stomach has been 
found contracted ; the mucous membrane wrinkled, at times soft- 
ened, and frequently the seat of roundish ulcerations of an ashy 
green colour. Near the pylorus, Barthez found black spots, which 
could be readily scraped off with the back of the scalpel, and left 
gangrenous ulcers exposed. Barthez recommends magnesia as an 
antidote to bromine, but he rests his recommendation on a single 
observation only. Butzke obtained similar results from his experi- 
ments. In one case, only, in which a dog died a few hours after a 
dose of three drams of bromine, he found the intestines unchanged, 
and death could only be ascribed to the paralysing influence of 
the poison on the nervous system. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Pourche first used both the pure bromine and the hydro-bromate 
of potassa for therapeutical purposes. He found it very efficacious 
in scrofula, especially in dispersing strumous swellings, both when 
given internally and applied externally. 2 

In a case of very large goitre it was highly serviceable. Accord- 
ing to Pourche's observation, it excited heat in the face, headach, 
dryness of the throat, &c, which, however, soon disappeared. 
Pourche gave the bromine internally, diluted with forty parts of 
distilled water, beginning with five or six drops of this mixture, and 
gradually raising the dose. It has also been added in a dilute state 
to lotions and cataplasms. The remedy is not, however, much 
used. 

Magendie frequently administered the bromine, but more com- 
monly some of its preparations. He prescribed it in cases in which 
the iodine did not appear to exert the proper efficacy, or where the 
patient had become accustomed to its use. The cases in which he 
used it were chiefly scrofula, amenorrhoea, and hypertrophy of the 
ventricles of the heart. 

More recently, it has been administered by M. Fournet, 3 in cases 
of chronic arthritis, both internally and externally; but his facts, as 
he himself remarks, were too few to enable him to deduce any 
general conclusions as to the therapeutical value of the remedy 
in those affections. He always gave it in a pure state, in the form 
of mixture, with a solution of gum; externally, it was applied in the 
form of alcoholic mixture to the affected joints. 

The dose was at first two drops in four ounces of the vehicle ; 
and the dose was gradually increased by two drops at a time, until 
as much as sixty drops were given in the twenty-four hours. 

The alcoholic mixture, used by M. Fournet as an external ap- 

1 Christison on Poisons, 3d edit. p. 186. 

2 Bulletin Generale de Therapeutique, No. 14. Juillet 30, 1837. 

3 Bulletin Generale de Therapeutique, Fevrier, 1838. 



78 dunglison's new remedies. 

plication, consisted, at the commencement, often drops of the bro- 
mine to an ounce of alcohol : this was augmented daily by five 
drops until it reached one hundred and twenty drops. 

The preparations of bromine are described in other parts of this 
volume. 



BRUCINUM. 

Synonymes. Brucina, Brucia. Brucium, Brucine. 

This alkaloid was discovered by Pelletier and Caventou in 1819, 
in the bark of the false angustura (brucea antidysenterica). It is 
found also in small quantities in the nux vomica, and in St. Igna- 
tius's bean. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

An alcoholic extract of the false angustura bark is prepared, 
which is dissolved in a large quantity of cold water, and filtered, in 
order to separate the fatty matter. 

The colouring matter is precipitated by acetate of lead, the 
excess of this is thrown down by sulphuretted hydrogen gas, 
and the brucine by an alkaline base, for which purpose mag- 
nesia may be employed. The precipitate from the magnesia 
is then washed, dried, and treated with alcohol, which lays hold 
of the brucine : this is obtained by evaporation. As the bru- 
cine is somewhat soluble, the precipitate of the magnesia ought not 
to be washed too much. The brucine thus obtained is coloured, 
but it may be procured colourless by forming an oxalate of brucine, 
and treating it with a mixture of equal parts of aleohol and ether. 
The oxalate is thus deprived of its colouring matter; after which it 
is decomposed by magnesia, and the brucine is thus obtained 
wholly pure and devoid of colour. 

Pure brucine is of a white colour, and forms regular crystals in 
the form of oblique prisms, having a base representing a parallelo- 
gram; it has a pearly lustre, tastes very bitter, and is soluble in 500 
parts of boiling water, and in 850 parts of cold. In alcohol it dis- 
solves readily, from which solution it is obtained in the crystalline 
form. When exposed to the influence of heat, it melts at a tem- 
perature very little above that of boiling water. At a higher 
temperature it is decomposed, and affords the same products as 
vegetable substances that do not contain azote. With the acids, 
brucine forms neutral salts, which differ from the salts of strych- 
nine. The sulphate of brucine crystallises in very fine needles, 
and resembles the sulphate of morphine, but has a much more 
bitter taste. The nitrate of brucine does not crystallise, which con- 
stitutes an essential difference between brucine and strychnine. 
With an excess of nitric acid, the salt has a beautiful pearly {nacre) 
colour. 



BRUCJNUM. 79 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Brucine acts energetically on the animal economy in the same 
manner as the false angustura, but much more strongly. It is 
similar, in its operation, to strychnine, but is considered to be 
weaker in the proportion of one to ten, according to Pelletier ; one 
to twelve, according to Magendie ;' and one to twenty-four, accord- 
ing to Andral. 2 

It requires four grains of brucine to kill a rabbit, whilst half 
a grain of strychnine is sufficient. A tolerably strong dpg, to 
which three grains of brucine had been given, was affected with 
symptoms resembling tetanus, but did not succumb. 

Pelletier is of opinion that brucine, or rather the alcoholic ex- 
tract of the false angustura, might be substituted in practice for the 
extract of mix vomica ; its operation is nearly the same, whilst 
there is no danger of its acting too violently. 

Andral has frequently prescribed brucine, and his deductions 
are, that we have it far more under our control than strychnine. 
Like strychnine, it has been given in cases of paralysis with vary- 
ing success. It would appear to have acted most beneficially in 
paralysis resulting from lead poisoning. Magendie administered it 
in two cases of atrophy, one of the leg, and the other of the arm, 
with success. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Brucine, according to Magendie, may be given either in pills or 
tincture ; gradually augmenting the dose. Andral raised it from 
half a grain to five grains. Magendie recommends, that the alka- 
loid should always be that obtained from the false augustura ; the 
brucine of the nux vomica being mixed with a portion of strychnine, 
which adds to its activity, and renders it difficult to determine the 
dose. The following formulae are recommended by him : — 

PUuIcb Brucince. 

Pills of Brucine. 

5*. Brucin. pur. gr. xij. 

Conserv. rosar. gss. M. exactiss. et fiant pilulae xxiv. 

One pill to be begun with — twice a day. 

Tinctura Brucince.. 

{French, Alcool de Brucine.) 

Tincture of Brucine. 

*. Alcohol (36° Areom.) gj. 
Brucin. gr. xviij. M. 

Of this tincture, from six to twenty-four drops may be given, in 
the form of mixture, in any vehicle. 

1 Formulaire, &c. des Nouveaux Medicamens, &c. 

2 Journal de Physiologie de Magendie, iii, 267, Juillet, 1823. 



BO 



DUNGLISON'S NEW REMEDIES. 

Mistura Brucincs. 

Mixture of Brucine. 

Potio Slimulans. 



5*. Brucin. gr. vi. 

Aquae distillat. §iv. 
Sacchar. alb. 3ij. M. 

Dose. — A table-spoonful night and morning. Magendie. 



CAINCiE RADIX. 

Synonymes. — Rad. Chiococcse, Cainanae, Caninanee, Cahincae, Kahincee, 

Serpentariee Braziliensis ; Cainca Root. 
Portuguese. — Raiz Crusadinha, R. Preta. 
German. — Caincawurzel. 

The plant, which furnishes the root introduced into Europe of 
late years, and which has since become known as a remedial agent, 
is the Chiococca auguifuga, of the family Rubiaceoe, sexual sys- 
tem, Pentandria Monogynia. 1 The shrub grows wild in the forests 
of Brazil, especially in the province of Minas Geraes, and the root 
is used there against the bites of serpents. This root is of the 
thickness of the finger, round, and knotty; the surface smooth or 
irregularly wrinkled ; the wood tough and of a whitish colour ; 
the smell disagreeable, especially that of the fresh root ; and the taste 
at first like that of coffee, but afterwards nauseous and pungent. 
The bark of the root alone possesses efficacy, the woody portion 
having no action. The bark separates readily from the wood ; it 
is thicker on the root itself than on its branches : and on the out- 
side, is of an amber or brownish yellow green colour; yellower and 
brighter on the youngest parts : the epidermis is not easily sepa- 
rated. According to the chemical investigations of Pelletier and 
Caventou, 2 the following are found to be the constituents of the 
bark: — 1. A bitter principle, crystallisable in small, white, silky, 
shining needles ; inodorous, and very soluble in hot alcohol, which 
communicates to the whole plant a degree of astringent bitterness, 
and at the same time has an acid reaction on litmus paper. In 
order to separate this acid, which has been termed by those che- 
mists the Aciduni Cahinclcum. in a pure state, the alcoholic ex- 
tract of the root must be dissolved in water, filtered, and precipi- 
tated by lime, until the fluid loses all bitterness; the precipitate is 

1 Art Chiococca, in Encyclopad. Worterb. vii, 521. Berl. 1831, and Von 
Martius, Spec. Mat. Med. Brasil, i, 18. 

1 Journal General de Medecine, Mai, 1830, and Phil. Journ. of Pharmacy, 
iii, 165. Philad. 1831. 



CAiNCiE RADIX. 81 

then decomposed by oxalic acid and boiling alcohol ; or the acetic 
or muriatic acid may be dropped into an aqueous decoction of the 
bark of the root, and, in the course of a few days, the acidum 
cahincicum will separate in the form of small crystals. With the 
cahincic acid, prepared in this way, however, some colouring' 
matter is still united. 2. A fatty, green, nauseous smelling sub- 
stance, which communicates to the plant its smell. 3. Yellow 
colouring matter, and 4. A viscid colouring matter. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The effect of the cainca root seems to be especially exerted on 
the digestive and urinary organs. It occasions watery evacuations 
and diuresis. From the experiments, however, of Albers 2 , made 
on a great number of dropsical patients, in the Charite at Berlin, 
he was induced to deny its diuretic powers, and to place it amongst 
the drastic purgatives, by the side of the helleborus niger. Wolff 
was of the same opinion. According to Von Langsdorf, 3 it is a highly 
efficacious emmenagogue, possessing also — to use his own lan- 
guage — considerable resolvent virtues, and hence employed in 
dropsies, that are connected with obstructions in the abdomen. 
Riecke, 4 asserts, that he had occasion to employ it in two cases of 
ascites complicated with induration of the liver. He had no ex- 
pectation of effecting a radical cure, but it afforded no palliation ; 
diuresis was not excited, whilst nausea, colic, and diarrhoea super- 
vened, so that he discontinued it: he gave it in decoction. Others 
have observed the same inconvenience from its use, or have found 
it wholly ineffectual ; for example, B. Heyfelder, Reinhardt, Bar- 
tels, 5 and others. Riecke suggests the possibility, in these cases, of 
adulteration of the drug. On the other hand, the cainca has been 
highly extolled by Francois, Ribes, Wagner, Solieer, Lowenstein, 
<fec. but particularly by Von Langsdorf. 

The main diseases in which the cainca is recommended, are. 
First. Dropsies, in which many favourable trials have been made by 
Von Langsdorf, Spitta, 7 Guddoy, Engler, Francois, Wagner, Solieer, 
Robredo, 8 &c. Secondly. Intestinal worms, against which it ap- 
pears to act like other drastics. Thirdly. In obstructed menstrua- 
tion ; on this subject, however, farther trials are needed. When it 
operates as an emmenagogue it is probably altogether like cathartics 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, xvi, 465. 

2 Medicin. Zeitung. No. iv. Sept. 1832. 

3 Hecker's Litter. Annal. B. iv. S. 395, and Rust's Repertorium, B. xiv. 
S. 458. 

4 Die neuern Arzneimittel. u. s. w. S. 84. Stuttgart, 1837. 

s Grafe und Walther's Journal der Chirurgie, u. s. w. xxiv, S. 470. Ber- 
lin. 1836. 
8 Deradice Caincae ejusque in morbis hydropicis virtute. Berol. 1828. 

7 Hecker's Litierar. Annal. iv. 396. 

8 Journal de la Academia de Medicina de Megico. Oct. 1836, and Brit. and 
For. Med. Review, p. 562, Apl. 1838. 

7 — b dungl 6 



82 dunglison's new remedies. 

that act more especially on the lower part of the bowels, that is, by 
contiguous sympathy. Fourthly. M. Francois has recommended 
it highly in catarrhus vesica;, but the experience of others has not 
confirmed this. 1 It may be mentioned, that in its native country, 
it is used for rheumatic pains, in a peculiar kind of pica experi- 
enced by the negroes of South America ; and, as already remarked, 
against the bites of serpents. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The Cainca is given in various forms — powder, infusion, and 
decoction ; and, besides these, a tincture and an extract have been 
made of it. A syrup and a wine have also been recommended. 
To form the latter, one ounce of the powdered root is infused in a 
pint of wine; the tincture is made with one part of the root and 
eight parts of alcohol at 20°. The alcoholic extract is considered 
to be the most uniform in strength, and has therefore been preferred 
by many. The syrup is formed by dissolving Siiss of the extract 
in a little alcohol, mixing- this with a pint of hot simple syrup, and 
allowing it to boil for some time, in order that the alcohol may 
evaporate. The dose of the powder is from 9i to 3ss in the twenty- 
four hours. It appears, however, to be the most objectionable form, 
and to give rise to unfavourable symptoms more frequently than 
the others. Opinions vary as to whether the infusion or the decoc- 
tion should, be preferred. According to Caventou and Pelletier, 
boiling extracts very well the efficacious parts of the root, and 
there are cases in which the decoction has rendered essential ser- 
vice after the infusion had been administered without success. Of 
the decoction, from 3j to 3iij are given in the day. Of the extract 
the dose, in the twenty-four hours, is twenty to thirty grains ; of 
the tincture 3j to 3ij. 2 

The decoction, used by Spitta and others, was made as follows : 

Decoctum Radicis Cainca,. 

Decoction of Cainca Root. 

3<. Rad. cainese, gij. 
Coque cum aquae commun. Ibiss ad dimidiam partem, et cola. 

Dose.— A. table-spoonful three times a day. Von Langsdorf. 3 

By others, the following form has been employed. 

iv. Rad. cainc. 3j. 

Aquae commun. ffiij. 
Coque ad dimidiam partem et cola. 

Dose. — Two table-spoonfuls three or four times a day. Engler. 

1 Bulletin General de Therapeutique, No. 13, Juillei, 1S37. 

2 Journal de Chimie Medirale, Mai, 239-242. Paris, 1827. 
s Hufeland und Osann's Journ. B. lxii, St. 2. 



CALC1S CHLORIDUM. 83 

Dr. John H. Griscom, 1 of New York, considers there is a remark- 
able analogy between the cainca and the apocynum cannabinum, 

The Acidum Caincce, described above, is said to possess tonic, 
cathartic and diuretic powers, and has been used successfully in 
some cases by Francois, in the dose of six grains gradually in- 
creased to fifteen. 



C ALOIS CHLORIDUM. 

Synonymes. Calcis Hypochloris, Oxychloruretum Calcii, Protochlorure- 
tura Calcii; Chloruretum Oxydi Calcii, Bichloruretum Calcis, Oxymurias 
Calcis, Calx Oxymuriatica, C. Chlonoata, Calcaria Chlorata, Chlorum 
Calcarise, Chlorelura Calcarise, Calcaria Chlorica, Chloride or Chloruret 
of Lime, Tennant's Bleaching Powder. 

French. — Protoxichlorure de Calcium, Oxichlorure de Chaux, Chlorure 
d' Oxide de Calcium, Bichlorure de Chaux, Oximuriate de Chaux, Muriate 
Suroxigene ou Oxigeoe de Chaux, Chlorate ou Souschlorate de Chaux, 
Poudre de Blanchement, Poudre de Tennant. 

German. — Kalkchlorid, Chlorkalk. 

Chloride of lime is a compound of chlorine and calcium. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

It may be prepared either in the dry or moist way. In the for- 
mer case, the chloride is made to act on the hydrate of lime in a 
pulverulent form ; in the latter, the chlorine, in a gaseous state, is 
passed into lime water. For technical purposes, the latter is most 
used; for pharmaceutical, the former. In the London pharmaco- 
poeia, it is directed to be prepared as follows : — " Take of hydrate 
of lime a pound, chlorine as much as may suffice; send in the 
chlorine to the lime in a proper vessel, till it is saturated. Chlorine 
is very easily evolved from binoxide of manganese, mixed with 
muriatic acid, by a gentle heat. 2 

The chloride is generally however obtained from large chemical 
establishments. 

Chloride of lime has the appearance of a white, loose powder, 
of a sour, bitterish and somewhat biting taste, exhaling a marked 
smell of chlorine, and dissolving with tolerable facility in water, 
at the same time giving off much chlorine gas. 3 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The action of the chloride of lime is generally esteemed to be 

1 Amer. Journal of the Medical Sciences, for May, 1833, p. 55. 

2 Brande'a Dictionary of Materia Medica, p. 135. Lond. 1839. 

3 Link, Art. Chlor, in Encycl. Worterb. der Medicin. Wissenschaft. vii, 
579. Berlin, 1831. 



84 dunglison's new remedies. 

analagons to that of the liquid chlorine; Hufeland, however, assi- 
milates it to that of the muriate of lime. The data have been con- 
sidered as scarcely, perhaps, sufficient to determine its precise 
operation. It appears to us, however, to act mainly by means of 
its chlorine, which, being loosely combined, is readily disengaged ; — 
all acids, even the carbonic, occasioning its separation. It is not 
much employed internally, but according to Cima, who gave it in 
scrofulous affections, it occasions slight pains in the abdomen, 
burning in the stomach, and at times diarrhoea. 

As to its internal administration Cima, it has been observed, gave 
it in cases of scrofulous swellings. By Cloquet it was used both 
internally and externally, in gangrenous ulcers; and by Grafe, 
Deschamps, and Graves, 1 in cases of foetor oris. 

In a case of pectoral disease, with great fetor of the breath and 
expectoration, it was administered by Drs. Graves and Stokes with 
remarkable benefit. A pill of three grains of the chloride with one 
of opium being given three times a day, and the quantity being 
increased to twelve grains a day: the bed was also sprinkled with 
a solution of the chloride. 

By Reid 2 it was administered in dysentery, and in a bilious typhus 
occurring in summer ; by Dr. Copland 3 in the last stage of typhus 
fever, when the evacuations were highly offensive, given in draughts 
of aromatic water with mucilage; by Groh, Cohen, and Schlesier 4 
in phthisis, and by Grafe in gonorrhoea. In none of these cases is it 
presumable, that the chloride of lime possesses virtues not contained 
in liquid chlorine. 

For external use it has been adopted in various cases, and espe- 
cially in ulcers. According to Trusen, an aqueous solution of the 
chloride is proper for torpid ulcers of almost all kinds — the pha- 
gedenic, the scrofulous, &c. In syphilitic ulcers it appears to be 
of use when the chancre is sloughing, and eats deep into the flesh. 5 

Trusen employed the solution formed by rubbing from 3iij to 3iv. 
of chloride of lime with a pint of water, pouring off the supernatant 
fluid after it had stood a quarter of an hour, and applying it by 
means of pledgets of lint to the ulcer, renewing the application 
whenever the lint became dry. In this way he found the profuse 
ichorous secretion from old ulcers diminish, the offensive odour 
abate, and fresh and healthy granulations spring up. By the 
same kind of treatment, phagedenic, herpetic, and scrofulous ulcers 
generally cicatrised speedily and permanently. 6 



1 Dublin Hospital Reports, vol. v. 

2 Transactions of the Association of Fellows and Licentiates of the 
College of Physicians in Ireland, vol. v. 1838. 

3 Houlton's Appendix to translation of Magendie's Formulary, p. 163. 
* Casper's Wochenschrift fur die gesammte Heilkunde, No. 37, 1838. 
6 Dr. Mene. in Gazette Medicale^Feb. 11, 1832. 

6 See, also, Houlton's Appendix to Magendie's Formulary, p. 162. 



CALCIS CHLORIDUM. 85 

Trusen employed, at the same time, the antimonium crudum 
with cathartics; and in all cases he directed strict repose and regu- 
lated diet. 

Trusen's observations have been confirmed by many modern 
physicians, amongst whom may be mentioned Labarraque, Lis- 
franc, Ekl, Lemaire, Heiberg. and Kopp. In ozsena good effects 
were observed from it by Horner, 1 Awl, 2 Heron, 3 and Strathing: 
and a solution of it, in the form of injection, was found serviceable 
in fistula, by Trusen and Ricord. Even in cancerous ulcers, 
recourse has been had to it by Heiberg, Labarraque, &c. : and in 
all cases it corrected the offensive odour, and, at times, the ulcer 
itself assumed a more favourable appearance. 

Ur. Frohlich 4 used it with advantage in a cancerous affection of 
the face, in the strength of one part of the chloride to sixteen parts 
of water. 

In such cases it has been recommended, in order to have the 
concentrated action of the chloride, that it should be formed into a 
paste by admixture with water, and be applied in this manner. 

It has been used, also, in cases of ulceration of the mouth, by 
Kopp, Angelot, Heiberg, &c, applied either in the form of solution 
or of a soft paste. 

In cases of wounds the application of a solution of the chloride 
has been recommended by many, as by Trusen, Ekl, Lisfranc, 5 to 
promt t3 cicatrisation after the inflammation has subsided. 

In a case of punctured wound, received in dissecting, and when 
the inflammation was proceeding up the arm with alarming rapidity, 
and the pain and tension were extreme, the patient experienced 
immediate relief from a solution of the chloride used as a lotion, 
combined with the free use of leeches. 6 

Gubian 7 has proposed to apply a solution of it to prevent the 
pitting from small-pox. The maturated pustules are to be opened 
and washed with a weak solution ; desiccation takes place very 
promptly, and, it is said, no marks or pits are left. 

On account of its antiseptic properties, the chloride has been 
applied in cancrum oris by Labarraque, Richter, Berndt, and 
numerous others, and in the sloughing affections of the female 
organs of generation of an analogous nature, by Labarraque and 
Ekl ; in hospital gangrene by Percy, Labarraque, Siedmogrodzki, 
Delpech, and Renard ; in gangrene of the scrotum, as well as in 



1 Amer. Journ. of the Medical Sciences, No. xi. 

2 Ibid. No. xxii. for Feb. 1833, p. 543. 

3 Ibid. Nov. 1836, p. 271. 

* Medicin. Jahrbucherdes k. k. usterreich. Staates. B. xvii. S. 168. Wien. 
1834. 
6 Bulletin Generale de Therapeutique, Juillet, 1838. 

6 Alcock, Essay on the use of ihe Chlorurets, &c. London, 1827. 

7 Journal de Chimie Medicale, vi. 315. 



86 dunglison's new remedies. 

ordinary gangrene, by Heiberg and Trusen, in all of which cases 
it has been of decided efficacy. 1 

In snch cases it may be applied either in the form of the paste 
above mentioned, or in strong solution — gij. to ibj. of water. 

In burns of the second and third degree, when they are not 
spread over too great a surface, of the body, a solution of the 
chloride of lime, according to Trusen, markedly diminishes the 
pain, moderates the too great suppuration, and excites, especially in 
the second decree, sound granulations, and in the third, speedy sepa- 
ration of the dead portions, and in both cases a smooth and firm 
cicatrix. Either a solution of the chloride united with mucilagi- 
nous substances, or a liniment prepared of the chloride may be 
applied. 

Lisfranc's observations 2 entirely accord with those of Trusen. 
Lisfranc applies compresses spread with cerate over the burnt 
parts; the compresses having holes in them so that the burnt places 
are exposed ; they are then covered with lint soaked in a solution 
of chloride of lime, which is kept in situ- and moistened as it 
becomes dry. 

A solution of the chloride of lime, as well as of the chloride of 
soda, may be applied, indeed, with advantage in the first stage of a 
burn or scald ; and Mr. Holt 3 affirms that he knows nothing so effica- 
cious in a " black eye." 

Dr. Chopin, 4 too, affirms, that in wounds produced by contusion, 
laceration, or by the explosion of gunpowder, where there is much 
pain, speedy and certain relief is produced by the chloride of lime, 
the dressings being kept constantly wet with a solution of it ; he 
found it, as well as the chloride of soda, very serviceable also in 
cases of sore nipples. 

In chilblains the chloride has been used, both in the form of solu- 
tion and of liniment with advantage; and not only in ulcerated 
pernio, but where the skin was unbroken, by Trusen, Lisfranc, Grafe 
and others. In many cases, however, it has been found advan- 
tageous to diminish the inflammation by the application of leeches 
before it was employed. In cases of deeper frost bites than 
those which produce pernio, the chloride has likewise proved bene- 
ficial. 

In salivation, caused by mercury, this agent has been found 
valuable, 5 especially when administered at the beginning of the 
increased secretion. When the ptyalism has proceeded to a greater 
extent, Trusen uses, at the same time, sulphureous baths. A col- 



1 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. Stuttgart, 1S37. 

2 Gazette Medicale, Mars 21, 1835. See also Bulletin Generale de 
Therapeutique, Juillet, 1838. 

3 Lancet, April 6th, 1833. 

4 Gazette Medicale, Oct. 31, 1835. 

5 Elliotson, in Mr. Houlton's Appendix to translation of Magendie's 
Formulary. Amer. edit. p. 162. Philad. 1834. 



CALCIS CHLORIDUM. 87 

Iutory of the chloride of lime not only diminishes the excessive 
secretion from the salivary glands, but speedily mitigates the sense 
of burning in the mouth ; induces the healing of the erosions of the 
mucous membrane, and corrects the mercurial fetor. In such 
cases, we have frequently employed it and with advantage, although 
the affection is not much under the control of medicine. 

In offensive odours from the mouth, arising from carious teeth, 
Regnard employed a solution of the chloride, but it excited the 
salivary glands in a disagreeable manner. On the other hand, E. 
Grafe recommends it strongly in this very case, and even in caries 
itself, both inwardly and externally as a collutory and tooth 
powder. In the latter form it is said to remove speedily the tartar 
and yellow depositions on the teeth. By Chevallier and Kluge the 
chloride is strongly recommended for cleansing the mouth. The 
latter gives a formula for a collutory, which will be found amongst 
the prescriptions at the end of this article. It effectually cleanses 
the mouth, whilst it does no injury to the enamel. 

In scarlatina, a solution of the chloride may be employed most 
advantageously as a gargle, and in the form of ablution to the 
surface. 1 

In scrofulous swellings of the glands, the chloride of lime, 
according to Cima, may be applied with advantage in the form of 
ointment, and by Grafe it is recommended in swellings of the joints. 
It has likewise been used successfully by Werneck in goitre. 

In several chronic eruptions, it has been much extolled — as in 
herpes, by Kopp ; in the itch, by Heiberg, Derheims. 2 Cluzel, 
Fantonetti, 3 Hospital, 4 and Wittzack 5 ; in pruritus pudendi mulie- 
bris, by Darling ; and in tinea, by Trusen, Roche, Cottereau, Kopp 
and Ebermeier. In the last disease, it is applied in the form of 
liniment ; in the others, in solution, but in the itch often also in 
the form of ointment. Michaelsen recommends the following 
method of treating the itch. Take of the chloride of lime from 
two to four ounces, according to the degree in which the disease 
exists, and the length of time it has been in the system; put this in 
a common flask or bottle full of rain or river water, so that as 
much as possible may be dissolved. In using it, the patient must 
shake the bottle well, in order that some of the undissolved lime 
may be taken up. With this, he washes the parts affected with 



1 Dr. Copland, in the Appendix to Houlton's edition of Ma<jendie's 
Formulary, p. 163. Dr. S. Jackson, of Northumberland, (now of Philadel- 
phia,) in Amer. Journal of Med. Sciences, xii. 261 and 550, and Ibid, for 
Mav, 1338, p. 56. (Dr. J. uses the chloride of soda.) 

2 Journal de Chimie Mcdicale, ii. 575. 

'Bulletin de Therapeutique, 1833, and American Journal of the Medical 
Sciences, August, 1S33, p. 533. 

4 Amer. Journal of the Medical Sciences, Nov. 1834, p. 240, (extracted). 

5 Casper's Wochenschrift, Feb. 4, 1837, S. 79, 



OO DUNGLISON S NEW REMEDIES. 

the itch three or four times a day. Every third or fourth day, 
when the skin becomes somewhat rough or irritated, the patient is 
made to take a tepid bath, or to wash himself with warm soap and 
water, and this until the cure is accomplished. The internal 
management is the same as in other plans of treatment. In the 
case of young children, the mixture must of course be weaker, 
about one ounce to a pound of water. By this plan, the patient, it 
is said, is entirely cured, without any unpleasant concomitants, in 
from seven to ten days. 

The chloride of lime has likewise been applied in purulent 
ophthalmia. Varlez 1 cured contagious blennorrhoea of the eye, by 
dropping upon it a solution of the chloride. Colson, Delatte, and 
Reynand, 2 also saw good effects from it, both in acute purulent 
ophthalmia, and in chronic ophthalmia with granulations, obscurity 
of the cornea, and especially in copious secretion from the meibo- 
mian glands. Guthrie 3 applied a solution of the chloride suc- 
cessfully in three cases of ophthalmia neonatorum; and Pereira 4 
advises a weak solution in the same cases. Farvagnie used it bene- 
ficially in scrophulous and catarrhal ophthalmia. 5 

The chloride has likewise been employed advantageously in 
other blennorrheas besides the one mentioned, and especially in the 
gonorrhoea!. 6 Grafe, of Berlin, 7 affirms that he succeeded with it 
when copaiba and cubebs had failed. He used it both in the form 
of pill, made as described hereafter, and of injection — the injection 
being made by dissolving gr. xxiv. in gvj. of water, and adding 
3ss. of wine of opium. 

But one of the most important of the applications of the chloride 
is as an antiseptic and disinfecting agent. 8 It is admirahly adapted 
for preventing and checking putrefaction, and for correcting the 
offensive odour of parts already putrefied : 9 and hence its applica- 
tion is most useful in anatomical investigations. 10 Some time before 
dissection, the body may be enveloped in a cloth wetted with a 
solution of the chloride, which must be kept wet by sprinkling it 
from time to time with a solution made of §j. of the chloride to a 
pint of water; in this manner the offensive odour is speedily 
corrected. The chloride is equally well adapted for purefying ihe 

1 American Journal of Med. Sciences, i. 459. 

2 Journal fur Chiiurgie, u. s. vv. B. xiv. H. 4. 

3 Medical and Physical Journal, Nov. 1827. 

4 Elements of the Mat. Med. pt. i. p. 354. London, 1839. 

5 Verhandlung der vereinigt. arztlich. Gesellschaft. der Schweiz. Jahr 
1S29. Zurich, 1830. 

6 Alcock, Essay on the use of Chlorurets, &c. London, 1S27. 

7 Amer. Journal of Medical Sciences, and Amer. Journal of Pharmacy, 2d 
series, vol. li. 86. Philadelphia, 1838. 

8 Labarraque, on the use of the Chlorides of Soda and Lime, translated by 
Jacob Porter. New Haven, 1829. 

9 Alcock, Op. cit. 

10 Masendie, Formulaire, &c. 



CALCIS CHLORIDUM. 89 

air of the wards of hospitals, jails, ships; a little of the solution 
being - sprinkled from time to time on the floors ; or shallow vessels, 
containing the chloride, being placed in different parts of the room. 
It is used, moreover, for neutralising contagious miasmata dispersed 
in the air or contained in clothing, furniture, &c. care being taken 
in all these cases that due ventilation be practised. 

It has been doubted, however, 1 and even denied, that its use is 
productive of any advantage in preventing the spread of infectious, 
contagious, or epidemic diseases. Nay, it has been affirmed to be 
positively injurious, by deteriorating the atmosphere, and in this 
there may be truth, unless the precautions we have mentioned be 
taken. In various cases, in which such diseases have prevailed, 
it has destroyed all offensive odour, but the extension of the malady 
has not been prevented. 



MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The chloride of lime has been given internally both in the form 
of solution and of troches, the dose being from gr. j. to grs. vj. four 
to six times a day. Externally, it is generally applied in solution 
of different strengths, (from 3j. to giv. to eight ounces of water) — 
the solution being decanted to remove the particles of lime from 
it, unless where it is considered advisable to employ the turbid 
solution. 

In cases of very offensive evacuations from the bowels, ten or 
fifteen grains may be added to a common enema. It is likewise 
applied in the form of ointment and liniment, and also of a paste 
made by admixture with water. 

The following forms have been given for its administration. 2 

Trochisci Calcis Chloridi. 

Lozenges of Chloride of Lime. 

5<. Calcis chlorid. ^ij. 
Sacchar. alb. ^viij. 
Amyl. 3j. 
Gum tragac. 3j. 
Carmin. grs. iij. 
M. Fiant trochisci. pond. gr. iij. 

One of these to be taken three or four times a day, and allowed 
to dissolve in the mouth, in cases of foetor oris. 

Deschamps. 



1 Observations on the chlorides and chlorine as "disinfecting agents," and 
as preventives of cholera. By H. Bronson, M. D. Boston, 1832. See, also, 
American Journal of the Medical Sciences, for Feb. 1833, p. 4S1; Dr. 
Albers, in London Med. Gaz. viii. 410, as to its inefficacy in cholera; and 
Pereira, Op. cit. p. 352. London, 1839. 

2 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 94. 



90 dunglison's new remedies. 

Mistura. Calcis Chloridi. 

Mixture of Chloride of Lime. 

£. Calcis chlorid. 3.]- 
Emuls. amygd. 3 vij. 
Syrup, gummos. 5J. M. 

A table-spoonful ever}'' three hours internally, in gonorrhoea. 

E. Graefe. 1 

Pilules, Calcis Chloridi. 
Pills of Chloride of Lime. 

5<. Calcis chlorid. 3j. 

Ext. opii, gr. ix. 

Mucilag. gum. arab. q. s. 
Divide in pilulas liv. 

Dose. — One every two or three hours in gonorrhoea, gradually 
increasing the dose until eight, ten, or twelve are taken every hour. 

Graefe. 
Collutorium Calcis Chloridi. 
Collutory of Chloride of Lime. 

B<. Calcis chlorid. grs. xv. ad gss. 
Mucil. gum. arab. 3j. 
Syrup, cort. aurant. ,§ss. M. 

A little of this solution to be applied by means of a mop of 
charpie to the ulcers in the mouth. Angelot. 

5^. Calcis chlorid. giij. 
Aquae distillat. 
Alcohol, aa. ^ij. 
Ol. rosar. gtt. iv. 
Solve et filtra. 

A tea-spoonful of this solution is mixed with a glass of water, 
and used in fcetor oris. Chevallier. 

According to Riecke, 2 an analogous nostrum has been sold at a 
high price under the name — Pneumokatharterion. 

Ri. Calcis chlorid. £j. 
Solve leniter terendo in 
Aquas distillat. 3Svi. 
Tunc adde 

Alcohol, puriss. (.830) pond. spec. 5 viij. 
Mist, reponatur in loco frigido per horas xxiv ; tunc filtretur et reserv. in 
lagena bene obturata. ("Let the mixture be put aside in a cold place for 
twenty-four hours; then let it be filtered and kept in a well stopped vessel.") 

It has been recommended that the mouth should be rinsed with 
this after the teeth have been brushed. Freyberg von Kltjge. 

The Pharmacopoeia of Sweden has an antiscorbutic collator]/, 
called Linctus ad siomacacen seu oxymuriatis calcici, which is 
formed as follows: 

1 Journal fur Chirurgie, u. s. w. B. xiv. St. 2. 
s Op. cit. S. 94. 



CALCIS CHLORIDUM. 91 

&. Solut. calcis chlorid. gss. 
Aquse fontau. 
Mellis, aa. gvj. M. 

g<. Calcis chlorid. 5 ss. 
Solve exactiss. trituratione in 

Aq. fontan. 3jij. 
Et post limpid, clarificat. admisce 

Alcoholis, |jij. 

01. rosar. gtt. iv. M. 

The mouth is rinsed in cases of salivation with a mixture made 
by adding a tea-spoonful of the solution to a glass of water. 

Trusen. 

Solutio Calcis Chloridi. 

Solution of Chloride of Lime. 

5<. Calcis chlorid. ^iij. 
Solve in 

Aquae distill, ffij. 
Adde 

Tinct. opii crocat. 

vel Vini opii, £j ad ^ij. M. 

Applied to frostbites. Trusen. 

5<. Calcis chlorid. ^ss. 

Tere invicem et sensim affuode 

Aq. font, (seu rosar.) B>j. 
Et post clarificat. limpid, admisce 

Mucil. gum. arab. (seu sem. cydon.) ^ij. 

Applied by means of linen rags in cases of burns. 

Trusen. 

5<. Calcis chlorid. jij. ad jiij. 
Aquae, ffii. Solve. 

To be applied by means of rags kept constantly wet, in cases of 
hospital gangrene ; the mixture being shaken. 

Rust and Kluge. 

The disinfecting liquor of Labarraque, Liqueur desinfectante 
de Labarraque, is made by adding ten parts of water, to one part 
of the chloride of lime divided in a mortar; suffering the solution 
to settle, and then filtering. 

Colly rium Calcis Chloridi. 

Collyrium of Chloride of Lime. 

g<. Calcis chlorid. gr. Iv. ad vj. 

Laudan. liquid. Sydenham. 9ss. 
Mucilag. gum. arab. .^iss. 
Aq. rosar. Jij. M. et filtra. 

To be dropped in the eye in cases of catarrhal and scrofulous 
ophthalmia. ( 

Farvagnie. 



92 dunglison's new remedies. 

Cataplasma Calcis Chloridi. 

Cataplasm of Chloride of Lime. 

5<. Calcis chlorid. 

Sodse muriat. aa. 5*ss. 

Aquae distill. Ibss. 

Farinse sem. lin. q. s. ut fiat cataplasma. 

Used in cases of scrofulous swelling of the joints. Graefe. 

Unguentum Calcis Chloridi. 

Ointment of Chloride of Lime. 

&. Calcis chlorid. 3j. 

Axungiae, 3J. M. fiat unguentum. 

To be rubbed in, in cases of scrofulous swellings. Cima. 

£. Calcis chlorid. gss. 

Axung. porcin. 3j. M. F. unguent. 

Used in goitre. Werneck. 

3c. Axung. 5j. 
Boracis venet. 
Calcis chlorid. aa. £j. M. exactissime. 

In cases of chilblains. Trusen. 

B<. Flor. sulphuris, S*iss. 

Calcis chlorid. bene tritur. 5*ij. 
Axungiae, 3*x. M. 

In itch, morning and evening. Hospital. 

Linimentum Calcis Ckloridum. 

Liniment of Chloride of Lime. 

fy. Calcis chlorid. 3ss. 

Tere in mortario vitreo et sensim aliunde 

Aq. rosar. (seu fontanas,) §j. 
Et post, limpid, clarificat. admisce 

01. amygd. dulc. 3J. 

To be applied by means of a pencil in cases of tinea capitis. 

Trusen. 



CALENDULA OFFICINALIS. 

Synonymes. Calendula Sativa, Caltha Sativa, Verrucaria, Crysanthemum, 

Sponsa Solis, Single Marigold, Garden Marigold. 
French. Souci, S. Ordinaire. 
German. Ringelblume. 

This plant belongs to the family Synanthereae, and in the 
Linnsean system to Syngenesia necessaria. It is much cultivated 
in the gardens of southern Europe more especially, and grows wild 
there. The whole plant has a feeble aromatic smell, which is not, 



CALENDULA OFFICINALIS. 93 

however, unpleasant. The taste is bitter and somewhat pungent. 
It was examined chemically by Geiger and Stoltze, 1 who found in 
it a peculiar glutinous matter, readily soluble in spirit of wine; 
insoluble in ether, and in ethereal or volatile oils, and but little 
soluble in water ; to this they gave the name calenduline. 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The term officinalis indicates, that the calendula was formerly- 
received into the lists of the Materia Medica as an "officinal ;" but it 
had become entirely obsolete, when Westring, 2 a Swedish physi- 
cian, in 1817, recalled attention to it. He recommended it particu- 
larly in cases of cancer of the breast and uterus, having noticed 
its good effects by accident. Visiting an aged female, who had 
suffered, for a long time, under an extremely painful induration of 
one mamma, he found she was able to allay the burning pain by 
the application of the fresh plant. 

This induced him to try it in several cases of cancer, and from 
the results he was led to infer, that it is perhaps the best agent that 
can be employed in that frightful malady. He never, however, 
employed the calendula alone, but associated with it other active 
remedies, so that but little attention was paid to his recommenda- 
tion : — a great portion of the efficacy of the agents employed, being 
— it was thought probable — ascribable to the associated articles. 

Some time after Westring's publication, the remedy was used by 
others, and his observations were confirmed. Rudolph 3 employed 
it with advantage internally, in a case of induration of the mammae 
in a young female ; but the acetate of iron was at the same time 
applied externally in solution. Fehr 4 found it highly useful not 
only in incipient, but in advanced, scirrhus. Stein praises it in 
cancer of the integuments (hautkrebs). He forms the expressed 
juice of the young plant and flowers into an ointment with fresh 
butter, and applies it once or twice a day by means of lint, having 
previously washed the ulcers with a decoction of the plant. Inter- 
nally, the calendula is prescribed in the form of decoction, made 
with milk or water, or of a rnellago prepared from the fresh juice, 
dissolved in an aromatic water; or made into pills. When the 
salve is applied, a sense of burning arises, which soon becomes 
absolute pain. This soon, however, abates ; and almost wholly 
disappears, — if too violent, more butter may be added ; the ichorous 
discharge becomes improved ; the offensive odour corrected, and 

1 Berlin. Jahrb. d. Pharmac. B. xxi. S. 282. 

2 Erfahrung uber die Heilung der Krebsgeschwure, u. s. w. Translated 
from the Swedish into German by K. Sprengel. Hal. 1817. 

8 llufeland und Osann's Jour, der prakt. Heilk. B. lviii. St. 1. S. 119. 

4 Verhandlungen der verein. ftrztlich. Gesellschafl. der Schweiz. .Tahrg. 
1831, and Dierbach, in Heidelberger Annalen, B. x. H. 4. S. 501. Heidel- 
berg, 1834. 



94 dunglison's new remedies. 

in from fourteen to twenty-one days, the ulcer is converted into one 
of a benign and readily cicatrisable character. 

Rust also frequently administered the extractuni calendula? in 
cancerous ulcers and as a discutient in chronic indurations, in 
combination, however, with other efficacious agents. Schneider 
affirms, that he prescribed the extract of calendula with the best 
effects in induration of the stomach, and in tumefaction and decided 
induration of the glands and uterus. A decoction of the flowers 
and plant, he employed in cancer of the uterus, and found it an 
excellent soothing, and discutient agent. Muhrbeck 1 used the 
extract with eminent success in chronic vomiting; Carter 2 in 
extremely obstinate vomiting ; and De Camp in a case of cardialgia, 
where the excitability of the stomach was so great, that every 
remedial agent was rejected before it had opportunity to act. Fehr 
also extols it as an emmenagogue, for which property it was cele- 
brated with the older physicians. 

As Riecke 3 has remarked, the amount of experience with the 
calendula is yet small — too small for us to pronounce whether it 
merits a fixed place in the lists of the materia medica. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

The extractuni calendula? is contained in the Hannoverian and 
Saxon pharmacopoeias ; in the latter it is directed to be prepared in 
the following manner : 

Take of the calendula officinalis, 1 part. 
Water, 8 parts. 

Macerate for twenty-four hours; then boil for a quarter of an 
hour, and strain forcibly ; boil the remainder with four parts of 
water ; mix the two liquors, and, after twenty-four hours' rest, 
evaporate to the proper consistence. 4 

The dose of the extract is different according to different obser- 
vers. Muhrbeck gave four grains, five times a day. Fehr allows, 
3ij. to 3vj. Phoebus directs the dose of the extract, prepared 
according to the Prussian Pharmacopoeia, to be eight to sixteen 
grains, gradually increasing it to 3ss. and more, from two to four 
times a day. It may be given either in the form of pill or mixture. 
Externally, the extract is used in solution, to moisten the dressings 
of ulcers, and to form ointments. 

The dose of the decoction of the fresh plant is §j. to |ij. 

The Sardinian Pharmacopoeia has a conserva jlorum calendula, 
made by beating together one part of the flowers and two parts of 

1 Hufeland's Journal der prakt. Heilk. B. lxii. St, 5, S. 128. Rust's 
Magazin. der gesammt. Heilk. B. xi. S. 350. 

2 London Med. Rep. April, 1826, p. 347. See, also, Link and Osann, in 
art. Calendula in Encyc. Wurterb. u. s. w. B. vi. S. 520. Berl. 1831. 

3 Op. cit. S. 101. 

4 Pharmacopee Universelle, &c. par Jourdan, ii. 536. 



CARBO ANIMALIS. 95 

powdered sugar. It has, also, an acetum Jiorum calendula, made 
of one part of the petals digested in four parts of vinegar ; and the 
Wirtemberg Pharmacopoeia has an unguenlum jiorum calendula, 
made of four ounces of the petals boiled in a pound of fresh butter, 
until the mixture is entirely evaporated. This is used as an emol- 
lient and resolvent. 

Pilula Calendula. 

Pills of Calendula. 

& Ferri oxydat. fuse. 
Herb, calend. pulv. 
Extract, calend. aa. 3j. 
Mucilag. gum. arab. q. s. ut fiant pilulae xc. 

Dose. — Five to eight three times a day, as a soothing agent in 
cancerous ulcers. Rust. 

B< Hydrarg. submuriat. £)ss. 
Sulphur, aur. antim. 9j. 
Extr. calendul. 
conii rnacul. aa. 9ij. M. f. pil. pond. gr. ij. 

Dose. — Five pills, three times a day, as a discutient in chronic 
indurations. Rust. 

Lotto Extracti Calendula. 

Lotion of the Extract of Calendula. 

B< Extract, calend. 

cham. vulg. aa. £>ij. 

Solve in Aq. lauroceras. §ij. 
Adde 

Tinct. opii. simpl. 3j. 

As a wash (Verbandwasser) in cancerous ulcerations. Rust. 

It is obvious that the precise agency of the calendula cannot be 
tested in any of these formulae, the substances associated with it 
being themselves active agents. In this country, we do not believe 
it is ever used. 



CARBO ANIMALIS. 

Synonymf.s. — Carbo Carnis, Animal Charcoal. 

French. — Charbon animal. 

German. — Thierische Kohle ; Fleischkohle, Thierkohle. 

Animal charcoal is an ancient remedy, which has been revived 
amongst us. The older physicians used several kinds, and recom- 
mended them in various diseases, but without having any fixed 



96 DUNGLISON 's NEW REMEDIES. 

principle ; the circumstances, indeed, that suggested their exhibition 
in many cases, are entirely unintelligible to us of the present day. 
In the old Wirtemberg Pharmacopeia, we find the Erinacens com- 
bustus, or " burnt hedgehog," as an antihydropic ; the Sericum tos- 
tum, or "burnt silk," and the Hi.rundines combnstce, or "burnt 
swallows," as antiepileptics; the Lepus combustns, or "burnt 
hare," as an antilithic ; the Regidi usti, or " burnt wrens," advised 
in nephritis and in calculous affections ; and the Talpce combnstce^ 
or " burnt moles," at one time much extolled in erratic gout, lepra, 
scrofula, ulcers and fistulas ! All have properly fallen, however, 
into oblivion with the profession, although there may yet be some, 
who cling with pertinacity to these relics of ancient ignorance and 
superstition. The cancer remedy of Cosme, into the composition 
of which burnt shoe soles entered, appears to have kept up the em- 
ployment of animal charcoal ; as well as the "burnt sponge," Sjiongia 
usta, in which, however, the charcoal is of but little efficacy com- 
pared with the iodine it contains. These were perhaps the only 
forms in which animal charcoal was used at the time when Weise, 
a German physician, revived its employment ; and many physicians 
soon came forward to attest favourably in regard to it. 



METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Weise gives the following method of preparing it. Cut ribs of 
veal, with the flesh attached, into small pieces, and put them in a 
drum for roasting coffee : turning the drum constantly whilst it is 
placed over the fire. When inflammable air begins to pass off, 
which is distinguished by the flame playing around the drum, the 
combustion must still be kept up a quarter of an hour longer. If 
it be continued so long as any inflammable air is disengaged, the 
preparation is inefficacious. The substance, most commonly met 
with under the name of Animal Charcoal, is obtained by burning 
bones. The residue, when reduced to powder, is the well known 
substance bone black or ivory black. 1 This generally contains 
more or less phosphate of lime according to the kind of bone from 
which it has been procured. This is directed in the London Phar- 
macopoeia to be purified by digestion in dilute hydrochloric acid as 
follows : Take of animal charcoal, a pound ; hydrochloric acid and 
water, each twelve fluid ounces. Mix the hydrochloric acid with 
the water, and gradually pour it upon the charcoal ; then digest 
for two days in a gentle heat, occasionally agitating. Set aside, 
and pour off the supernatant liquor; then wash the charcoal with 
repeated portions of water, till no traces of acid are perceptible ; 
lastly, dry it. 2 Charcoal, prepared in this way, should be a com- 

1 See Art. Carbo Animalis, by Dr. F. Bache, in Wood and Bache's Dis- 
pensatory, 3d edition, p. 161. 
* Brande, Dictionary of Materia Medica, p. 151. London, 1839. 



CARB0 ANIMALIS. 97 

bination of carbon, carbonate and phosphate of lime, hydrogen, and 
azote. From an analysis, which Meurer made of animal charcoal, 
prepared according to Weise's formula, it contains also muriate 
and a little carbonate of soda, as well as a portion of iron. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

In the case of a young man of scrofulous diathesis, Weise saw a 
tumour, of the size of a hazelnut, and very painful, situate 
under the nipple, disappear under the use of animal charcoal. 
According to him, its efficacy is strongly exerted on the uterus 
and mammas. Rothamel and Hohnbaum extol it in dyspepsia 
and gastricism, as well as in cases of diarrhoea. In obstinate 
chronic glandular indurations, especially of the mammary glands, 
Weise affirms it to be a certain remedy ; he, at the same time, 
however, considers a regulated diet to be indispensable. Scirrhus 
of the lips, he says, also disappears under its use, and even 
scirrhous goitre when the charcoal is associated with burnt sponge. 
On cartilaginous polypi, it is said to have exerted a beneficial 
agency, and to have diminished the tendency of mucous polypi to 
return after operation. Even open cancer, it is asserted, has been 
healed by it. 1 On these recommendations of Weise, animal charcoal 
has been used by several German physicians, especially by Wagner, 
Kopp, Pitschaft, Radius, Rothamel, Hesselbach, Gumpert, Hohn- 
baum, Fricke, Michaelsen, and Siebenhaar; and as a general re- 
sult of their observations it would seem not to be devoid of thera- 
peutical agency ; although many of the experimenters failed in 
noticing any sanative effect from it. Fricke, for example, did not 
observe the least benefit in the very cases mentioned by Weise. 
He gave it also in the way of experiment, in several other cases, but 
without detecting the slightest influence on the organism. Other 
physicians saw advantages from its use in open cancer, but these 
were only transient. On the other hand, the experience of 
Wagner, Kopp, Michaelsen, and Rothamel would seem to show, 
that it was effectual in removing incipient scirrhus of the mammas. 
Kopp employed it successfully in scirrhous goitre, and Pitschaft in 
a case of what he terms struma varicosa. Radius dispersed under 
its use a considerable swelling of the submaxillary glands. In 
scrofulous affections, especially in scrofulous indurations of the 
glands, it proved useful in the hands of Kopp, Rothamel and 
Speranza. Pitschaft, in a delicate, strumous woman, who was 
suffering constantly under ozcena, found it of eminent service after 
other remedies had failed. Radius thought it aided the absorption 
of a disintegrated cataract, and Siebenhaar saw good effects from it 
in induration of the pancreas. 

Riecke 3 suggests, that further trials might show that it might be 

1 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimictel, u. s. w. S. 104. 

2 Op. cit. 

7 — c dungl 7 



98 dunglison's new remedies. 

used in the place of iodine, which it appears to resemble in its 
action on the economy, whilst it affects the organism less in- 
juriously. It is extremely doubtful, however, whether the proper- 
ties of the two substances can be regarded as at all analogous, and 
whether the charcoal is possessed of any other properties than 
those usually ascribed to the prepared charcoal. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The carbo animalis is given in doses of from half a grain to three 
grains twice a day, commonly in the form of powder with sugar, 
or with powdered liquorice root. Weise advises it to be sprinkled 
on the hard edges of cancerous ulcers, and Speranza extols an 
ointment made of charcoal and oil or simple cerate as a discutient 
in scrofulous swellings. 

Pulvls Carbonis Animalis. 

Powder of Animal Charcoal. 

£. Carbon, animal, gr. ij. 
Pulv. rad. glycyrr. gr. v. 
F. pulvis. 

A powder to be given morning and evening. 

5<. Carbon, animal, gr. vi. 

Spong. marin. ust. gr. xij. 

Pulv. rad. glycyrrhiz. gss. 
M. F. pulv. in partes vi sequales dividendus. 

A powder to be taken night and morning in scirrhous goitre. 

RlECKE. 

B<. Pulv. carbonis animal, gr. iv. 

Pulv. rad. glycyrrh. 9iv. M. et divide in part. viij. 

One of these to be taken dry, morning and evening, a little 
water being drunk afterwards, in cases of scirrhous indurations of 
the mammae. After the eight powders have been taken, the dose 
may be increased gradually by half a grain, until it ultimately 
attains four grains. At the same time, abirritating, and spare diet 
should be inculcated. 

Boli Carbonis Animalis. 

Boluses of Animal Charcoal. 

$. Pulv. carbon, animal, gr. iij. 
Ammon. muriat. pulv. 9j. 
Ext. conii macul. gr. ij. 
glycyrrhiz. q. s. ut fiat bolus. 

One of these to be given three times a day ; — in cases of swell- 
ing and scirrhus of the prostate, and of the mucous membrane of 
the urethra. Magendie. 



CARBONIS SESQ.TJI-IODIDUM — CETRARINA. 99 



CARBONIS SESaUI-IOUIDUM. 

Synonymes. Carbonis Sesqui-ioduretum, Sesqui-iodide, or Sesqui-ioduret 
of Carbon. 

This preparation is made by mixing concentrated alcoholic solu- 
tions of iodine and potassa until the former loses its colour. A 
solution is obtained, from which the addition of water will throw 
down a yellow precipitate — the sesqui-iodide of carbon. 

This substance is soluble in alcohol and ether, but insoluble in 
water. The ethereal solution yields large yellow crystals by slow 
evaporation. It has a sweet taste, and a strong saffron-like odour. 
Mitscherlich 1 considers the taste very disagreeable. 

Fifty grains given by Dr. Cogswell, 2 to a strongly made terrier 
dog, proved fatal ; and, on dissection, the large vessels were found 
congested; the inner membrane was closely corrugated, and the 
apices of the rugae were of a rose red colour. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Dr. Litchfield 3 used it with advantage in five cases of enlarged, 
glands; in two of lepra, and three of porrigo, in the form of oint- 
ment composed of 3ss of the powder to 3vj of simple cerate. 



CETRARINA. 



Synonymes. Cetraria, Cetrarine. 
French. — Cetrarin. 



This substance has been extracted, of late, from the lichen 
islandicus or cetraria islandica, by M. Herberger, a pharmacien 
at Kaiserslautern. 4 



METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The coarse powder of the lichen is boiled for half an hour in 
four times its weight of alcohol at .883; it is left at rest until 
vapours cease to be given off. to avoid the loss of the alcohol ; it is 
then strained and pressed. Three drains of hydrochloric acid pre- 
viously diluted with water are now added to each pound of the 
lichen ; this is mixed with from four times and a quarter to four 
times and a half its bulic of water, and the mixture is left at rest for 

' Traite de Chimie, traduit par Valerius. 

2 K.say on Iodine, p. 122. Edinb. 1837. 

3 Lend. Med. Gaz. Aug. 1836. 

4 Buclmer's Repertorium, B. viii. H. 1. 1S37. 



100 dunglison's new remedies. 

a night in a closed flask. The next day, the deep yellow fluid, 
which swims ahove the copious deposite obtained, is poured off: 
this deposite is the impure cetrarine, the colour of which is more or 
less greenish. It is now collected on a filter (chausse), left to 
drain as little as possible and subjected to pressure. To purify it, 
it must be divided into small fragments, and washed whilst still 
moist with alcohol or ether, which deprives it of colour ; it is then 
treated with two hundred times its weight of boiling alcohol, in 
which the inorganic matter, which has hitherto accompanied it, is 
scarcely soluble. The greater part of the cetrarine is gradually 
precipitated on the cooling of the alcoholic solution. The portion 
which still remains in solution, may be separated by the evapora- 
tion of the alcohol. 

Pure cetrarine is at times in the state of a white powder, resem- 
bling magnesia; at others in small globules united in the form of 
arborisations, which do not present — even under the microscope — 
any crystalline texture. When gently compressed, it has a slight 
silky splendour. It is light, unalterable in the air, inodorous, and 
has a very intense bitter taste, especially in the alcoholic solution. 
Its best solvent is absolute alcohol, one hundred parts dissolving 
1.70 of it at the boiling temperature, but only 0.28 at 14° centig. 
(58° Fahr.) Alcohol, at^O.830 dissolves 0.44 when boiling, 0.28 at 
25° cent. (77° Fahr.) and only 0.04 at 14° cent. (58° Fahr.) It i* 
still less soluble in boiling and in cold water, the essential oils, 
creosote, &c. It is somewhat more soluble in ether, but insoluble 
in the fixed oils. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

M. Miiller, a physician of Kaiserslautern, 2 details two cases in 
which he has administered the cetrarine. One of these was a 
quartan, the other a tertian intermittent. The effects appeared to 
be exerted more slowly than those of quinine, but it seemed to him 
not to affect the stomach as much.[?] Its price must be much less, 
as M. Herberger succeeded in obtaining from a pound of lichen 
135 grains of very pure cetrarine. 

It has not been given, so far as we know, in this country. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

Miiller gave it in the form of powder according to the following 
prescription : — 

£. Cetrarin. 

Gummi arabic. aa. gr. ij. 

Sacchar. alb. 9ss. M. et fiat pulvis. 

Dose. — One of these every two hours during the apyrexia. 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, xxiii, 505, Paris, 1837, and Bulletin General de 
Therapeutique, No. 18, Sep. 30, 1S37. 
8 H. Bruck, in Bulletin General de Therapeutique, No. 17. Sep. 15, 1837. 



CHIMAPHILA. 101 

H. Bruck, 1 suggests, that if dissolved in spirit of wine, its action 
may be incomparably more potent, and that it may more speedily 
arrest the paroxysms of an intermittent than when given in powder. 



CHIMAPHILA (FOLTA.) 

Synonymes. Chimaphilas vel Chimopbilae Umbellatae Folia ; Pyrolae Um- 

bellatse Folia, WiDter Green, Pipsissewa. 
French. — Heibe a pisser, Pyrole en Ombelle. 
German. — Die Blatter des holdenbluhtigen Wintergruns. 

This plant is not new to us; but numerous trials have been 
made with it recently in Europe. It is admitted into the Pharma- 
copoeia of the United States, is a beautiful evergreen, and is indi- 
genous in the northern parts of Europe. Asia, and America. It 
belongs to the natural family of heaths, Ericese ; and, in the Lin- 
nasan System, to Decandria Monogynia. A good description of it is 
given by Barton. 2 

The leaves have a bitter-sweetish taste, with some degree of 
astringency. The taste of the stems and roots is, in addition, con- 
siderably pungent. Boiling water and alcohol extract the virtues 
of the plant. The constituents, so far as ascertained, are bitter ex- 
tractive, tannin, resin, gum, liguin and saline matters. 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

The leaves of the Chimaphila were long used by the Indians of 
this continent, and from them the American physician was induced 
to employ them. The first regular treatise respecting the plant is 
said to have been a thesis of Dr. Mitchell, published in the year 
1803. s In Canada it is said to have been long used in diseases of 
the urinary passages, especially in calculus, dropsy, and in chronic 
gout and rheumatism; its effects appearing to resemble — but not 
to exceed — those of the uva ursi. Somerville 4 and Barton extol it 
as an excellent diuretic in different forms of dysuria, and in drop- 
sies, especially such as succeed to acute diseases ; in nephralgia as 
a palliative, especially when the paroxysms are occasioned by 
gravel which has accumulated in the kidney; and even in vesical 
calculus. During its use the appetite improved, and the digestive 
powers augmented ; the patients often experiencing — immediately 

1 Op. cit. 

* Medical Botany, i. 17; see, also, Art. Chimaphila, in Wood & Bache's 
Dispensatory, 3d edit. p. 193. 

3 Barton's Collection, ii, 2. 

* Medico-chirurgical Transactions, v, 340. 



102 dunglison's new remedies. 

after it was taken — an agreeable sensation in the stomach, and in 
the region of the kidneys. 

Radius' found it especially serviceable in dropsy, gout and rheu- 
matism ; and in inordinate activity of the secretory function of the 
mucous membranes — chronic catarrh, phthisis pituitosa, &c. Ac- 
cording to him, it is conlraindicated when there is much fever, 
disposition to diarrhoea, gastricism, and great debility of the 
stomach. Heyfelder affirms, that the chimaphila appears to be 
advantageous in the debility of the digestive organs attendant upon 
dropsy, but its diuretic effect is not considerable or enduring, so 
that it requires to be associated with other more powerful agents. 

Experiments, which have been made recently in the Burgerhos- 
pital at Pesth, and which have been collected by St. Rochus and 
published by Windisch, the director of the hospital, are extremely 
favourable to the chimaphila. Within two years, nearly two hun- 
dred dropsical cases are said to have been radically cured by it. 
Windisch recommends it most strongly to the attention of his col- 
leagues ; he asserts it to be one of the best diuretics we possess ; 
that it does not impair digestion ; moderately accelerates the circu- 
lation ; gently encourages the action of the bowels, and powerfully 
augments the urinary secretion ; that the patients willingly take it, 
and that it induces no nausea. It was administered with advantage 
in dropsies unaccompanied by fever, and not dependent upon or- 
ganic mischief, upon "corruption of the humours or paralysis of 
the lymphatic textures." In febrile conditions and inflammatory 
diatheses, it is said to have been always injurious, as well as when 
it was administered prior to the resolution of obstructions remaining 
after long protracted intermittents ; but when these are removed, 
and no excitement exists, more, according to Windisch, is to be 
expected from it than from any other agent, and he strongly ad- 
vises, that careful trials should be made with it in the proper cases. 
He advises, also, that its use should be persevered in, in order that 
good effects may be derived from it. 

We have frequently administered the chimaphila in public and 
private practice, and have found it serviceable, where a tonico- 
diuretic was indicated. 



MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The chimaphila is given either in infusion, or, what is preferable, 
in decoction ; the dose in the day being from half an ounce to an 
ounce. Where it does not act sufficiently on the bowels, Radius 
advises, that a few senna leaves should be added. In affections of 
the chest, he found the addition of the sweet spirit of nitre advan- 
tageous. Generally, however, he gave the chimaphila alone. 
Windisch found a combination of it with tartar emetic, liver of sul- 

1 Auserlesene Heilformeln zura Gebrauche fur praktische Aerzle und 
Wunclarzte, u. s. w. Leipz. 1836. 



CHLORINUM. 103 

phur, sal ammoniac, squill, and, in very great weakness, cinchona 
and preparations of iron, serviceable. Radius often administered 
also the aqueous or spirituous extract. 

Decoctum Chimaphilce. 

Decoction of Chimaphila. 

£. Chiraaphil. umbellat. §j. 

Macera per horas xij. in aquffi font. Bij. (ffiiss Ph. Lond.) 
Coque ad colatur. Bj. 

To be used daily in dropsy. Somerville. 

5<. Chiraaphil. umbellat. ^ss ad § j. 
Coque cum aquae font. §xij, ad reman, ^vj. 
Coctione finita adde 

Spiritus frumenti. (gin, malt spirit or whisky) §ij. 

Digere frigide per horas vj, et cola. 

Dose — Two spoonfuls to be taken four times a day in dropsy 
and gout. Radius. 

&. Chimaphil. umbellat. gvj. 
Coque cum aq. font, ^xij ad reman, ^vj. 
Sub fluem coctionis adde 

Fol. senna? £ij, et cola. 

Dose — A spoonful to be taken every two hours. Radius., 



CHLORINUM. 



Synonymes. Chlorum, Chlorine, Murigene, Acidum Muriaticum Oxygena- 
tum, Acidum Marinum Dephlogisticatum, Spiritus Salis Marini Dephlo- 
gisticatus. 

French. — Chlore. 

German. — Chlor, Chlorgas. 

Uncombined chlorine is employed medicinally not only in the 
gaseous but liquid state. Of each of these we shall treat in suc- 
cession. 

The forms for evolving it in the gaseous state, as well as the 
gaseous chlorine itself, have had various names assigned them ex- 
pressive of their chemical or medical properties. They have been 
termed, respectively, Acidum muriaticum oxygenatum ad contagia ; 
Fumigatio muriatico-oxygenata ; Pulvis ad fumigationes muriati- 
cus ; Species pro vaporibus superoxydi niuriatici; Suffitus oxymu- 
riaticus; S. chlorini ; Alexiterium Chloricum, Fumigation de chlor, 
P. de Guyton, F. Guytonienne, F. Hygienique, &c. 



104 dunglison's new remedies. 

mode of preparing. 

Chlorine is obtained from muriatic or hydrochloric acid. For 
this purpose, one part of well pulverised peroxide of manganese 
with five or six parts of concentrated muriatic acid is put into a 
retort, to which heat is applied and the gas received over water. 
Or, it may be obtained from a mixture of one part of manganese, 
four parts of kitchen salt, two parts of concentrated sulphuric acid, 
and four parts of water. 

Chlorine is a greenish yellow gas ; of a peculiar, strong, disa- 
greeable, stifling odour. The flame of a lighted taper introduced 
into it becomes at first pale, afterwards red, and is ultimately ex- 
tinguished. It remains unchanged in the highest temperatures. 
It has a great affinity for hydrogen, so that it abstracts this gas 
from every substance that contains it, and forms with it muriatic 
acid. Hence it decomposes all the gases that contain hydrogen, 
and all organic colouring matters, as well as — it is conceived by 
many — miasmata and contagious matters. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Chlorine when diluted, and received into the lungs, occasions 
coughing, and symptoms of suffocation, to which a protracted 
catarrh often succeeds ; not frequently,, too, we observe in those, 
who are compelled to be exposed to the gas, bronchitis and pneu- 
monia. Animals soon die when they are immersed in it. 1 

In Mr. Broughton's experiments, mice exposed to it fell dead 
in less than thirty seconds. On opening them, the heart was 
found palpitating ; the peristaltic motion of the intestinal canal con- 
tinued, and could be kept up by irritating it with a probe. Tha 
vessels of the brain were collapsed. The lungs were tinged with 
the yellow colour of the gas, and the peculiar odour of chlorine 
was perceptible throughout their structure. Coagulation of the 
blood took place as under ordinary circumstances. A rabbit, two 
or three weeks old, was immersed in chlorine, and died in less than 
half a minute. On opening the thorax, the heart was found acting 
freely and on puncturing the aorta, the blood jetted out forcibly to 
a considerable distance. The peristaltic motion of the bowels 
was also going on. The vessels of the brain were in a collapsed 
state. The lungs were very much distended, tinged yellow, and 
when removed from the chest to a distance, emitted the odour of 
chlorine. The right ventricle of the heart was distended with 
dark blood. The eyes were much glazed in each experiment. " It 
has been generally thought," adds Mr. Broughton, " that chlorine 
is incapable of passing the epiglottis" (the glottis), but from the 
above observations it is evident that this gas enters tfie bronchial 
tubes in the act of inspiration. A portion of it probably circulates 

1 See Christison oa Poisons, 3d edit. p. 736. Edinb. 1836. 



CHLORINUM. 105 

through the brain, suspending the cerebral functions without di- 
rectly destroying the action of the involuntary organs, — contrac- 
tility remaining long after the destruction of animal life, as is 
evinced by the activity of the heart and of the intestinal canal." 1 

These very facts, however, seem to show that but little of the 
gas enters the lungs; probably no more than what passes imme- 
diately preceding the closure of the glottis by the forcible contrac- 
tion of the arytenoidei muscles. When inhaled in a dilute state, 
it is absorbed, and. according to Mr. Wallace, the urine acquires 
bleaching properties. It would appear also, that, in manufactories, 
the chief consequences, resulting from exposure to an atmosphere 
of chlorine, are acidity and other stomach complaints, which the 
men generally remove by taking chalk: 2 this fact is confirmatory 
of the view, that acidity of the stomach is usually, if not always, 
dependent upon excess in the secretion of the gastric acids, the 
most important of which is the hydrochloric. Where chlorine is 
inhaled, it is reasonable to suppose that more of the hydrochloric 
acid may be secreted in the stomach. 

METHOD OF EMPLOYING. 

1. By inhalation. — In the way of inhalation, chlorine gas is 
never administered in a state of purity, but always diluted with 
atmospheric air ; often, too, it is united with watery vapour. 
Gannal affirms that the workmen in a bleaching establishment, 
who suffered under diseases of the chest, were visibly improved, 
and ascribed the amelioration to the inhalation of air containing 
chlorine. He, therefore, instituted various experiments on con- 
sumptive individuals, from which good results, he conceived, fol- 
lowed. Sir James Murray 3 also mentions that a friend of his had 
observed similar effects among his workmen exposed to the inhala- 
tion of watery vapour strongly impregnated with chlorine. 

The experiments, however, which were instituted at La Charite, 
in Paris, on this mode of treating phthisfs, were by no means en- 
couraging; and the same may be said of those at the Hotel Dieu 
of that city, instituted by Rullier. 4 

In many cases, indeed, the disease appeared to be aggravated. 
Bayle likewise thought the inhalation of chlorine generally un- 
favourable, although he asserts that he cured a case of tubercular 
phthisis thereby. Recently, it has been again recommended by 
Cottereau. 

Professor Albers, 5 of Bonn, who administered it repeatedly, and 

1 Journal of the Royal Institution, from Jan. to June, 1830. 

1 Pereira, Elements of Materia Medica, pt. i. p. 107. Lond. 1839. 

3 A Dissertation on the Influence of Heat, &c, Lond. 1829; cited in the 
Dublin Journal of Medical Science for March, 1839, p. 96. 

* See, also, Pereira, Elements of the Materia Medica, pt. i. p. 108. Lond. 
1839. 

1 Hannoversche Annalen, 1836, and Br. and For. Rev. for July, 1837, p. 
215. 



106 dunglison's new remedies. 

carefully watched its effects, conceives that it acts as a stimulant 
when applied to the membrane, but that, when it gets into the 
blood, its effects are antiphlogistic ; and he is of opinion that, when 
there is no haemoptysis, or violent local irritation present, chlorine 
inhalations may be used in diseases of the lungs and air passages. 
Its stimulant effect gradually diminishes, and, after a time, the 
mucous surfaces of the lung become less sensible to its exciting 
influence. In tubercles of the lung, in chronic catarrh, in chronic 
inflammation and ulceration of the bronchial mucous membrane, 
and in dilatation of the bronchi, he found it of no service, and, in 
most cases, it could not be borne in consequence of the irritation it 
induced ; but its operation was very salutary in pure ulceration of 
the lungs or vomica. It had always, however, to be administered 
cautiously and experimentally. 

Dr. Stokes always found chlorine inhalations prejudicial in 
phthisis, producing, in every case, increase of bronchial irritation, 
dyspepsia, and arrest of the pulmonary secretion. In his trials of 
the remedy in gangrene of the lungs, 1 he found it decidedly bene- 
ficial, correcting the fcetor of the breath and expectoration, and, 
therefore, calculated to obviate not only the local but the constitu- 
tional symptoms. 

Sir James Clark 2 is of opinion that the inhalation of chlorine 
has only produced relief in persons whose lungs have been dis- 
eased to a very limited extent. 

Dr. Pancoast informs the author, that a case of aphonia, occur- 
ring in a young lady, in which there was but little voluntary power 
over the diaphragm, was cured by the inhalation of chlorine, after 
the galvanic plates and the electro-magnetic apparatus had been 
used in vain. 

The chlorine may be inhaled from a common dish or inhaling 
apparatus, by dropping any of the acids on a mixture of chloride 
of lime, so that the acid may be disengaged slowly, but the best 
method of inhaling it, as well as iodine, is that recently recom- 
mended by Dr. Corrigan. 3 He properly remarks that, in order that 
inhalation may have a fair trial, it is requisite, first. That the 
apparatus should be simple in its construction, and easily kept in 
order. Secondly. That it should be capable of keeping up a sup- 
ply of vapour for any length of time, and that the evolution of the 
vapour should be steady and easily regulated. Thirdly. That it 
should also furnish a sufficient supply of aqueous vapour to prevent 
any irritation of the larynx, or lining membrane of the air tubes ; 
and, fourthly, and most important of all, that its employment should 
entail neither trouble nor fatigue on the invalid. 

To fulfil these objects, Dr. Corrigan advises the apparatus re- 

1 Dublin Hospital Reports, vul. v. 

2 Treatise on Tubercular Phthisis, p. 84, Lond. 1S34; also, Araer. edit. 
Phiiad. 1835. 

8 Dublin Journal of Medical Science, March, 1839, p. 94. 



CHLORINUM. 



107 




presented in the margin. It consists of a light open iron-wire frame, 
about eighteen inches high, at 
the bottom of which is a spirit 
lamp, A : at the proper height 
above it is an evaporating por- 
celain dish, about six inches in 
diameter, B: above this is a 
glass globe, C, with its neck 
downwards. In the neck of 
the globe is a cork, D, bored, 
and through the opening is 
drawn, moderately tight, a short 
plug of cotton wick, such as is 
used in a spirit lamp: in the 
glass globe at E, opposite the 
neck, is drilled a pin-hole, to 
allow air to pass in, according 
as the fluid within drops out 
through the neck. To use it, 
the porcelain dish is filled with 
hot water, the spirit lamp is 
lighted, and as soon as the water 
in the dish has begun to boil, the glass globe containing the chlo- 
rine, (if this be the substance used,) is placed as shown in the mar- 
ginal illustration. The rate, at which the fluid in the globe shall 
percolate the cotton wick and drop into the hot water beneath, is 
easily regulated. If it do not drop with sufficient rapidity, one or 
two of the threads of the cotton may be removed. If it drop too 
rapidly, this is corrected by pressing in the cork more tightly, or 
introducing one or two additional threads of wick. 

In employing the chlorine, eight ounces of saturated solution of 
chloride of lime may be poured into the glass globe ; and into 
the water of the porcelain dish, two ounces of the dilute sulphuric 
acid of the pharmacopoeia. As the solution of the chloride drops, 
the aaid seizes on the lime, and the chlorine is evolved in connection 
with the aqueous vapour. 1 

Chlorine is but little used in this form, and can only be adapted 
for cases in which the pathological condition of the bronchial mucous 
membrane, or neighbouring parts, requires the exhibition of an ex- 
citant. 2 In this way, it may be occasionally serviceable in chronic 
bronchitis ; but its administration requires great caution. 3 In cases 
of poisoning by the hydrocyanic, acid, as well as by sulphuretted 
hydrogen, chlorine is a most efficacious agent. The chloride of 
lime may be used for this purpose. 

1 Lond. Med. Gazette, April 6, 1839, p. 49. 

2 Toulmouche, in Revue Medicale, Avril, 1834. 

8 Archives Generales, Avril, 1834 J and a recent communication on the 
excellent effects of chlorine vapour incatatrh, in Gazette Medicale de Paris, 
June, 1838. 



108 uunglison's new remedies. 

2. By Fumigation. — Fumigations of chlorine have been parti- 
cularly re com mended by Wallace, of Dublin. 1 They appear to 
resemble, in their action, the nitrous and nitro-muriatic acid baths, 
and have been especially employed in liver diseases, unaccom- 
panied by inflammation, but in which there is disturbance of the 
biliary secretion. According to Wallace, fumigations of chlorine 
are more certain than ablutions and baths of nitro-muriatic acid, 
and they have the advantage, that their application subjects the pa- 
tient to less inconvenience. The good effects of chlorine, in such 
cases, have likewise been tested by Zeise, 2 in his bathing establish- 
ment at Altona. When the chlorine is, in this way, brought into 
contact with the skin, it soon occasions a pricking sensation ; in- 
crease of transpiration ; great afflux of fluids to the surface of the 
body, and sometimes a pustular eruption : increased secretion of 
saliva, urine, and bile; slight inflammation of the mouth and fauces, 
and impeded respiration and circulation. 

Wallace found chlorine fumigations serviceable not only in 
hepatic diseases with disordered secretion of the liver, but in several 
other morbid conditions, as hypochondriasis, cachexia, and in all 
affections in which a prolonged excitation of the skin, and a resto- 
ration of its suppressed or impaired functions could be esteemed 
serviceable, — hence, in old cases of syphilis, scrofula, chronic ca- 
tarrh, and rheumatism : generally, cathartics were combined with 
the fumigations, and the evacuations were constantly observed to 
present a highly bilious character. 

In chronic cutaneous affections, as in lepra, psoriasis, and sca- 
bies, these fumigations have been found useful ; but, generally, 
fumigations of sulphurous acid are employed by preference, in con- 
sequence of the greater facility with which they can be prepared. 3 

Injections of chlorine gas have been employed for the radical 
cure of hydrocele by M. Deblois, of Tournay, and M. Deconde. 4 
The chlorine gas is contained in a bladder, to which is attached a 
pipe and stopcock adapted to the canula of the trocar, into which it 
is fixed after the fluid is evacuated: the stopcock is then turned, 
and the bladder pressed so as to force the gas into the tunic*, vagi- 
nalis. When this is distended, the pipe and bladder are removed, 
and the thumb is placed over the mouth of the trocar, so as to pre- 
vent the issue of the gas for the space of two minutes : it is then 
allowed to escape, and two or three repetitions of the injection are 
made, which are sufficient for the cure. It would appear, that risk 
must be incurred from the injection of such an acrid substance, but 
M. Deconde says not. 

Fumigations of chlorine, with the view of destroying the matter 

1 Researches respecting the Medical Powers of Chlorine, &c. Lond. 1S22. 

2 Nye Hygea udgived af C. Otto, 1825, and Hufeland und Osann's Journ. 
der prakt. Heilkund. B. lxiii. St. 1. 

3 Green on Diseases of the Skin. American Library edit., Philada. 1838. 
* Bulletin Medical Belse, Janvier, 1S36. 



CHLORINUM. 109 

of contagion, and of preventing the spread of contagious disease?, 
have long been used. 1 As long ago as the year 1773, they were 
proposed by Guyton de Morveau, and hence they have been called 
the "Guytonian," or the (i Guyton Morveau fumigations." They 
are the best agents for the purpose that we possess. 

In fumigating the extensive general penitentiary at Milbank, 
Westminster, Dr. Faraday adopted the following method. One part 
of common salt was intimately mixed with one part of the black 
oxide of manganese ; the mixture was placed in a shallow earthen 
pan, and two parts of oil of vitriol, previously diluted with two 
parts by measure of water, were poured upon it, — the whole being 
stirred with a stick. Chlorine was liberated for four days. The 
quantities of the ingredients employed were 700 pounds of common 
salt, the same quantity of the oxide of manganese, and 1400 pounds 
of sulphuric acid. 2 

When chlorine is evolved in the manner described, it is liable, 
like all the acid gases, to the objection that it is extremely irritating 
when respired. It cannot, therefore, be used in the sleeping apart- 
ments of the sick, although it may be employed beneficially after 
they have been withdrawn, and the object is to disinfect the cham- 
ber. It ruins all polished surfaces, but this can be effectually ob- 
viated by painting them over with a compost of starch. The chlo- 
rides are not liable to the same objection, as they exhale the chlorine 
slowly. 3 

CHLORINI AQUA. 

Synonymes. Aqua Chlorinii, Liquor Chlori, Aqua Chlori, Aqua Oxymu- 
riaiica, Liquor Acitli Muriatici Oxygenati, Aqua Oxygenata Muriatica, 
Aqua Oxygeno-Muriatica, Liquor Alexitereus Oxygenatus, Solutio Alexi- 
teria Oxygenata, Solution of Chlorine, Liquid Oxymuriatic Acid. 

French.— Colore Liquide, Eau de Chlore. 

German. — Chlorwasser. 

This preparation is contained in many of the pharmacopoeias. It 
is in those of Austria and Anvers; and in the Batavian, Bavarian, 
Belgian, Danish, Dublin, Parisian, Finnish, Hannoverian, Polish, 
Prussian, and Swedish. 4 It has been more extensively adminis- 
tered on the continent of Europe than in this country, or in Great 
Britain. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The Prussian Pharmacopoeia directs chlorine gas, made after the 
manner before described, to be passed into the bottles of a Woulfe's 
apparatus filled with distilled water, until two-thirds of the water 

1 Link, Art. Chlor, in Eneyclopad. Worterb. der medicin. Wissenschaft. 
B. vii. S. 575. Berlin, 1831. 

2 Pereira, Op. cit. p. 107. 

8 See the author's General Therapeutics, p. 509. Philad. 1836. 
4 Pharmacopee Uuiverselle, i. 405. Paris, 1828. 



110 dunglison's new remedies. 

are displaced ; the bottles are corked under water, and the water 
is agitated until it takes up the gas. . The liquid is then drawn 
off into small bottles, which are well filled, and kept in a dark 
place. In this way, liquid chlorine may be kept for a long 
time undecomposed. In its preparation, some little muriatic acid is 
formed, so that it has at times to be purified by treating it with a 
solution of nitrate of silver. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

From experiments made by Orfila 1 on dogs, it appears that con- 
siderable doses of a moderately concentrated solution of chlorine 
prove fatal, by exciting sooner or later inflammation of the stomach, 
accompanied with great languor; and when death takes place very 
rapidly, signs of organic alteration are met with in the stomach. 
In its action on the economy, chlorine is closely allied to the acids, 
and especially to the muriatic. Introduced into the stomach in 
moderate doses, the solution of chlorine excites an agreeable feeling 
of warmth, which soon spreads over the whole of the body: in 
strong doses, according to L. W. Sachs, a kind of intoxicating 
stupor is induced by it, soon succeeded by prostration. It has been 
conceived to act equably as a moderate excitant on the nervous 
system, and thereby to moderate inordinate action in any part, and 
is, to a certain extent, antiphlogistic, without possessing any of the 
debilitating qualities of the antiphlogistics proper. In the opinion 
of some of the German pathologists, it exerts a powerful stimula- 
tion on the organic actions, especially on the lymphatic and glan- 
dular systems, moderating inordinate secretion. Its antiseptic pro- 
perties are likewise considerable. It would appear, however, that 
the number of observations has not been sufficiently great— al- 
though they have been by no means few — to allow of any com- 
prehensive appreciation of its exact modus operandi on the human 
organism. 2 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Although the solution of chlorine is properly no new remedy, it 
is only of late years, that it has been frequently administered. At 
the present day in some countries, it is in common use. It is not 
long since Meurer maintained, that it is impossible to administer 
chlorine internally, and that in every case in which it was believed 
to have been given, the article really taken was the hydrochloric or 
muriatic acid ; for, owing to the affinity of chlorine for hydrogen, 
whenever any union takes place between it and organic matters, 
the chlorine he affirmed disappears, and muriatic acid alone exists, 
as he had proved by repeated experiments. In this assertion, how- 
ever, he was opposed by many observers. Herzog and Barman n 

1 Toxicolojie Generale, i. 141. 

* Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 30. Stuttgart, 1S37. 



CHLORINUM. Ill 

came forward with experiments to show that Meurer had gone too 
far in his deductions ; and from all the experiments, it would ap- 
pear, that in prescribing the aqua chlorini many mistakes had been, 
and — we may add — -still are, committed. From Barwald's experi- 
ments it would appear, that if water which has rested on aromatic 
or other vegetable substances be chosen for the dilution of the aqua 
chlorini instead of distilled water, a difference is produced in the 
rapidity of the decomposition. In a mixture of aqua chlorini, distilled 
water, and simple syrup, the decomposition takes place tardily ; but 
if in the place of the syrup, a mucilaginous juice be substituted — for 
example, thesyrupus althseae — acids are speedily formed ; as well as 
when a decoction of althaea is substituted for distilled water ; 
whereas a mixture of the decoction of salep (gr. v to water §j), 
syrup, and the aqua chlorini in well stopped bottles remained 
undecomposed above twenty four hours. In these experiments, 
however, the persistence of the smell and taste of the chlorine ex- 
hibited, that the whole of the chlorine had not been converted into 
muriatic acid. In the same manner as in the case of the decoction 
of marshmallows, the addition of the infusum sennas and infusum 
Valeriana?, as well as of solutions of extracts, and especially of 
liquorice, destroyed the smell of the aqua chlorini instantaneously, 
even when the taste of chlorine could still be detected. When 
the solution was combined with remedial agents, that contain 
much colouring matter, the decompostion took place with great 
rapidity. From the results of these experiments, Barwald advises 
the aqua chlorini to be given in admixture with distilled water and 
simple syrup, as in this way only can we be sure, that the patient 
has taken the chlorine undecomposed. Herzog lays it down as a 
rule, that the solution of chlorine should only be mixed with 
colourless transparent substances — water, simple syrup, gum arabic 
or the decoction of salep. 

In respect to' its administration in disease, we shall speak first of 
its internal use, which in several morbid conditions seems to have 
rendered good, and in some cases eminent, service. The following 
are the diseases in which it has been chiefly recommended. 

1. Irritative fever, as in the violent irritative fever that occurs 
during the period of dentition ; in which it has been administered 
with great success by Kopp, Mehlhausen, Goden, Trusen, and 
Riecke. 1 Dangerous determinations to the head, have been, in this 
way obviated, along with the unpleasant complications which are 
apt to he occasioned thereby. Toel 2 exhibited it in convulsions, 
during dentition, which were accompanied by too great activity of 
vessels, and he affirms, that he has prescribed no-remedy, which, 
in all respects, answered so well. 

2. Nervous fever, especially when tending to the putrid charac- 
ter. In the plague, according to Wagner, it is of no avail ; but in 

1 Op. cit. S. 30. 

a Archiv. d. med. Erfahrung, Marz uod April, 1S25. 



112 dunglison's new remedies. 

putrid fever, according to Kopp, it is highly useful. Spangerberg 
observed good effects from it in an epidemic typhus with hepatic 
derangement. It is likewise extolled in typhus by Wolf, Braun, 
Hufeland, and others ; and by Sacco in the fever called petechial, 
itself a typhus. Of late, it has been much used in Germany in 
the typhus abdominalis, which corresponds to our typhoid fever, 
to oppose the origin and development of the intestinal ulcerations; 
but when the disease is farther advanced it has been found useless. 
It is especially recommended in this disease by Clemens, but he 
commonly premises the use of an emetic. Trusen considers the 
emetic unnecessary. He first applies leeches to the epigastrium, 
and then prescribes immediately the aqua oxymuriatica in con- 
siderable doses ; — in lighter cases, a dram every two hours ; and if 
the disorder of the head be already great, the tongue chapped 
(rissiir), and the peculiar expression of countenance present, he 
gives two drams every two hours. Bartels is less satisfied with 
the action of chlorine in abdominal typhus. It raises, he says, the 
sinking powers very speedily, but often excites the sanguiferous 
system, and not unfrequently increases the abdominal symptoms so 
palpably, that the physician is compelled to have recourse to other 
agents. Riecke 1 thinks, however, that it may be of essential ser- 
vice in this disease, which so frequently mocks the best directed 
efforts of the practitioner ; and he suggests, that farther experi- 
ments are highly desirable, especially as those instituted by Trusen 
and others are not free from objections, by reason of their having 
combined with the chlorine substances that quickly decompose it. 

3. Carbuncidus raa/^?ms (Milzbrandkarbunkel). — In the variety 
of malignant anthrax caused by handling the skins of cattle, the 
internal and external use of chlorine has been found of essential 
service by Ettmuller, Herbst, Stumpf, and Hoffmann. 

4. Scarlatina.— Pfeufer. Wendt, Kopp, and Trusen extol it 
highly in this disease, for which, on theoretical grounds, it would 
seem to be appropriate, by reason of the great turmoil in the san- 
guiferous system, as indicated by rapidity of pulse and inordinate 
secretion of heat, bearing but little direct ratio to the degree of 
vital energy. Braith waite, who, it is asserted, was one of the earliest, 
if not the earliest, who advised chlorine in scarlatina, supposed that 
it acted as specifically as the bark in intermittent, or mercury in 
syphilis ; and Trusen asserts that it may be advantageously used in 
cases where other remedies have been found ineffectual. It is espe- 
cially recommended by Braun and Spiritus in malignant scarlatina. 

5. In other febrile exanthemata, small-pox, measles, rubeola, 
&c, it has been prescribed with advantage. In putrid dysentery, 
(faulige Ruhr,) it is extolled by Nysten and Kopp; and in inter- 
mittent, by Kopp and Kretschmar. Trusen recommends it 
in the irregular, and especially in the anticipating forms, where 
there is danger of their becoming continued. Under its use, 

1 Op. cit. S. 33. 



CHLORINUM. 113 

he found the paroxysms became regular, with perfect apyrexiae, so 
that the ordinary febrifuges could be advantageously given. In 
gastric fever, Trusen trusted to it solely for the removal of the dis- 
ease: he found that it corrected the morbid secretions from the 
mucous membrane of the digestive tube. Other physicians have 
also derived equally favourable results from its administration in 
that disease. 

6. In gastromalacia, it has been prescribed by Rhades, Blasius, 
and Winter, but as Riecke, 1 from whom this detail of the experi- 
ence of the German practitioners has been chiefly taken, properly 
observes, farther observation is necessary before we can decide as 
to its efficacy in such cases. 

7. In erysipelas, especially of children, it has been recommended 
by Kopp. 

8. In inflammation of the liver, favourable results were obtained 
from it in the Children's Hospital of St. Petersburg; and it exhibited, 
in these cases, the analogy to calomel in its action, which has been 
pointed out by many observers. 

9. In hydrophobia, it has been used both internally and exter- 
nally as a preventive, especially by the Italian physicians Brera, 
Previtali, 2 Ghisaldoni, Agliati, Arrigoni,Narcisi, and Anelli, whose 
experience is in its favour. Wendelstadt and Ruppius have like- 
wise published favourably regarding it. It is obvious, however, 
that much fallacy may arise as to the precise agency of reputed 
preventives. Every one, for example, who may be bitten by a mad 
dog is not attacked with hydrophobia; and, unless great caution 
be used, any article may be regarded as a preventive. This is the 
main reason why we have so many preventives of hydrophobia and 
other diseases. 

10. Again : — the solution of chlorine has been advised by Rup- 
pius and Mertzdorf in dropsy, especially such as supervenes on the 
acute exanthemata. 

11. In the diathesis phthisica. it has been recommended by 
Gbden, and has been affirmed to moderate the hectic in phthisis, 
and to make the remissions more marked. In these cases, it re- 
quires to be given in large doses, and to be exhibited for a consi- 
derable time. 

12. In many cases of chronic cutaneous affections, with dimi- 
nished plastic energy, it has been used with success by Kopp. 

13. Lastly: in noma, orcancrum oris, and in fcetorof the mouth, 
it has been recommended internally as well as topically; and, ac- 
cording to the experiments of Persoz, Nonat, and others, it renders 
eminent service in cases of poisoning by the hydrocyanic acid. 

Externally, it is used either pure, diluted with water, or in com- 
bination with oil. Godier affirms that he cured strumous swellings 



1 Op. cit. S. 34. 






2 Pratiche Osservazioni 


suit Idrofobia, &c. 


Milan, 1820. 


7— d 




dungl 



114 dunglison's new remedies. 

of the glands by a cerate of chlorine. Eisenmann, Cnllerier, and 
Biache recommend it at times pure, at others diluted, in the way of 
injection, in gonorrhoea and leucorrhoea. It is employed, also, in 
flabby, putrid, and offensive ulcers, in the carbunculus malignus, 
in chronic cutaneous affections, as tinea capitis, itch, (Deimann,) 
herpes, (Alibert,) cancrum oris, asthenic aphthae, (fee. 

Lastly: ablution with a solution of chlorine, or of the chlorides, 
has been advised as a preventive of venereal infection. In can- 
cerous ulcers, it corrects the unpleasant odour, and excites a new 
action in the part ; causing the secretion of a better pus : farther 
than this, we cannot expect much from it. Baths of chlorine are 
recommended by Wagner as an excellent means for preventing the 
plague. Schonlein advises that, in scarlatina, the whole surface of 
the body should be washed with a mixture of aqua chlorini and 
water, which he prefers to ablution with cold water. 

Finally; — the aqua chlorini is occasionally sprinkled in the sick 
chamber to purify the atmosphere during the prevalency of conta- 
gious or other diseases. 



MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

As already remarked, whenever the aqua chlorini is prescribed, 
its facility of decomposition must be borne in mind. It is, for this 
reason, best to prescribe it with water only, or at most with the 
addition of simple syrup, for internal administration. For external 
use, water alone should be associated with it. As to the precise 
mode in which chlorine is affected by fatty substances, we have as 
yet no accurate knowledge; it may be calculated, however, that a 
part undergoes decomposition. Such combinations have, notwith- 
standing, been found very useful. 

The solution should never be prescribed in quantity larger than 
is necessary for twenty-four hours, as by frequently opening the 
vessel in which it is contained, decomposition readily ensues. The 
vessel should be put into a dark place, and be surrounded by black 
paper. 

The average dose for an adult, in the twenty-four hours, may be 
fixed at an ounce, although much larger doses may be given with- 
out inconvenience. It is scarcely necessary to say that the precise 
dose must vary with the degree of concentration. 

Unguentum Oxygenatum ex tempore parandiim. 

Ointment of Chlorine. 

Jy. Aquae chlorin. p. j. 
Adipis, p. viij. M. 

Used in the itch. Pharmacopeia of Austria. 



CINCHONINA. 115 

Linimentum Aqua, Chlorini. 

Liniment of Chlorine. 

5<. Aquas chlorin. 3j. 
Olei olivar. ^j. M. 

Externally in obstinate itch, tinea capitis, and herpes. 

Deimann. 

5<. Cerae albae, ^ij. , 
Leni calor. liquef. adde 

01. amygdal. q. s. 
Ut fiat linimentum cui refrig. adde 
Aq. chlorin. giss. M. 

Used externally in cases of ulcers. Ltjdwig. 

Gargarisma Aqua Chlorini. 

Gargle of Chlorine. 

£. Pulv. tragac. gr. xij. 
Aquae %iv. 
Aquas chlorin. 
Syrup, aa. gss. M. 

To be used as a gargle in ulceration and chronic inflammation,' 
of the mouth and fauces. Ratier. 1 



CINCHONINA. 

Synonymes. Cinchonia, Cinchoninum, Cinchonin, Cinchonine. 

Although Duncan, of Edinburgh, Reuss, of Moscow, and 
Gomez, 2 of Lisbon, had endeavoured to separate the active prin- 
ciple of the cinchonas, and had given the term cinchonine to a 
resinous extract obtained in their investigations ; the honour of 
discovering both cinchonine and quinine and of applying them to 
practical purposes belongs to the French chemists — Pelletier and 
Caventou. 3 

Cinchonine is commonly obtained from the gray or pale varieties 
of cinchona; the yellow furnishing the quinine, and the red both 
cinchonine and quinine. It is an alkaloid strikingly analogous to 
the quinine in its chemical and medical relations, but is not as 
much used. 



1 Formulaire pratique des h6pitaux civils de Paris, 3me. edition. Paris, 
1827. 

8 Richter's Specielle Therapie, B. x. S. 325. Berlin, 1828, and Magen- 
die's Formulaire. 

3 Anuales de Chimie et de Physique, xv. 289 and 337. 



116 dunglison's new remedies. 



METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Cinchonine is obtained by boiling the bark in alcohol, until it 
loses all its bitterness ; the alcoholic solution is then evaporated to 
dryness in a water bath ; the extract, thus obtained, is dissolved in 
boiling water, strongly acidulated with muriatic acid; an excess 
of calcined magnesia is added, which, after a few minutes' boiling, 
will fix all the red colouring matter, and render the liquid clear. 
When cold, the liquid is filtered, and the magnesian precipitate 
washed with cold water; it is then dried in a stove ; and all the 
bitterness separated by repeated digestions in boiling alcohol ; the 
alcoholic liquors are mixed, and the cinchonine crystallises as the 
fluid cools. The cinchonine, thus obtained, still contains a green 
fatty matter, which may be separated by solution in a very weak 
acid. If the acid be too strong, it will dissolve a part of the fatty 
matter, and the intended object will be thus defeated. 1 

Cinchonine may also be obtained by treating pulverised pale 
cinchona by weak sulphuric acid, precipitating the solution by 
means of lime in excess; collecting the precipitate on a filter, 
washing it, and treating it, after drying, with boiling alcohol. 2 

Cinchonine is white, translucent, crystallising in needles; re- 
quiring, for its solution, 700 parts of cold water, according to 
Magendie; according to others, 2500 parts of boiling water. On 
account of its very sparing solubility in water it has but a slightly 
bitter taste. In alcohol, it is readily soluble, and the solution is 
extremely bitter, as well as the salts formed by its union with 
acids, which resemble the salts of quinine. It does not dissolve 
readily in fixed or volatile oils, or in ether. At a certain tempera- 
ture, it volatilises ; a great part, indeed, is destroyed by the opera- 
tion, yet a sensible portion escapes the decomposing power of the 
caloric. 

In medicine, pure cinchonine, as well as the sulphate and acetate, 
are prescribed. The sulphate is soluble in 54 parts of water, and 
in 6.5 parts of alcohol, (s. g. 0.815) ; it is not soluble in ether. It 
forms crystals and tastes bitter. The acetate, on the other hand, 
does not crystallise ; and is less soluble in water than the sulphate ; 
but an excess of acid facilitates the solution. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

It is not necessary to say much on the application of cinchonine 
and its preparations to disease, as they have been almost wholly 
superseded by the quinine and its salts. It is a weaker article, and 
therefore requires to be given in larger doses ; Magendie and 
Gittermann assert, that it has been found ineffective as a iebrifuge. 

1 Magendie, Formulaire, &c. 

* Pharmacopee Universelle, i. 414. Paris, 182S. 



CINCHONINA. 117 

Bally, 1 Chomel, 2 Mariani, 3 Wutzer, 4 and others, however, have 
exhibited it successfully. 5 Dufresne 6 frequently prescribed it, and 
he assigns it this claim to preference, that it is almost tasteless, or 
at least that the bitter taste is but tardily developed ; and that it 
needs not to be given in combination with acids, as the acid con- 
tained in the gastric secretions will render it soluble. 7 He gave it 
in intermittents during the apyrexia in the quantity of from six to 
twenty grains, and he found it, moreover, of marked use in the 
cases of gastralgia with formation of acid, which are so often met 
with in young females, and are not unfrequently associated with 
leucorrhoea, hypochondriasis, melancholy, &c. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The following formulae have been recommended, but, as was 
before remarked, they are rarely used, the preparations of quinine 
being now almost universally prescribed. 

Syrupus Cinchonince. 

Syrup of Cinchonine. 

5=. Sulphat. cinchonin. gr. xlviii. 
Syrup, simpl. Bbj. 

Used in the same cases as the syrupus quininee, a tablespoon- 
ftll for a dose. Mag end ie. 

Vinam Cinchonince. 

Wine of Cinchonine. 



It. Sulnhat. cinchonin. gr. xviij. 
Vini Maderens. ffiij. 



Tinclura Cinchonince,. 



Magendie. 



5<. Sulphat. cinchoninae, gr. ix. 

Alcohol (34° or s. g. .847.) gj. M. 

Magendie. 

Magendie recommends that this tincture should be used for 
preparing, extemporaneously, the wine of cinchonine, by adding 
two ounces of the tincture to a pint of the Madeira wine. 

1 Nouv. Biblioth. Medicale, ix. 189. 

2 Nouv. Journ. de Medecine, Mars, 1821. 

8 Osservaz. sulla Pratica del solfato de Cinconina, &c. 
4 Rust und Caspei's Krit. Repert. B. xxi. Bulletin des Sciences Medic. 
Sept. 1827. 

6 Art. Cinchonine, in Merat and De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Med. 
• Bibliotheque Universale, Mai, 1831, p. 89. 

7 See, also, Ganz, in Bulletino delle Scienze Mediche di Bologna, Agosto 
et Settembre, 1836, p. 12). 



118 DUNGLISON'jS new remedies. 

Boli Antifebriles} 

Febrifuge Boluses. 

5*. Sulphat. cinchonin. gr. iij. 
Micae panis, 
Mellis, 
Glycyrrhiz. aa. q. s. ut fiat bolus. 

Dose, — one of these to be repeated every two hours. 

Brera. 

Mlstura Cinchonince. 

Mixture of Cinchonine. 



Soh 



Sulphat. cinchonin. gr. vi to xlviij. 
Potassae acetat. 
Sacchar. alb. aa. 3ss. 



Aquae chamsem. ^vj. 

Dose — A table-spoonful every two hours, in intermittents. 

Sundelin. 



CODEINA. 

Synonymes. Codeinum, Codeia, Codeine. 
German.— Kodein. 

Although opium had been repeatedly examined by the chemists, 
and certain of its active constituents separated from it, it was not 
until within the last k\v years, that the article, whose name is at the 
head of this paragraph, had been obtained from it. It was disco- 
vered by Robiquet in 1832, 2 and as it has been exhibited as a thera- 
peutical agent, it requires notice. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According 1 to Winkler, 3 this new alkaloid may be prepared in the 
following manner. The morphine is first thrown down from a 
solution of opium made in the cold by means of ammonia; the 
meconic acid is precipitated by the muriate of lime; for the removal 
of the colouring matter, the fluid is then treated with the extract or 
subacetate of lead ; and the extract of lead, contained in the fluid 
poured off from the precipitates, is afterwards decomposed by sul- 
phuric acid ; the fluid, separated from the sulphate of lead, is now 

1 Ricettario Clinico di Brera. Padov. 1825. 

2 Journal de Pharmacie, xix. 91 and 162. Paris, 1833. 

5 Buckner's Report, xlv, p. 459, cited in Journal de Pharmacie, xxi, 251. 
Paris, 1835. 



CODEINA. 119 

treated with an excess of caustic alkali; the mixture is exposed to 
the air until the excess of free alkali has attracted carbonic acid 
from it; it is then agitated and digested with ether, and left to 
evaporate spontaneously, after which a yellowish, highly transpa- 
rent, but not crystalline compound remains, which forms with mu- 
riatic acid a crystalline salt, and resembles exactly the codeine of 
Robiquet. 

Merck 1 procures the codeine in a very simple manner. He 
treats morphine precipitated by soda with cold alcohol; the spiri- 
tuous tincture is carefully saturated with sulphuric acid; the alcohol 
drawn off, and the residue treated with cold water as long as it is 
turbid ; it is then filtered, and the filtered liquid evaporated until it 
has the consistence of syrup: on cooling, ether is poured over it 
in a large flask; caustic alkali is added in excess, and the whole 
strongly agitated. The sethereal mixture is then so saturated that 
the codeine crystallises from it in a few hours. By evaporating 
the ether, and treating the residue with alcohol, the codeine is 
obtained by degrees wholly pure, and separated from an oily matter, 
which is a great obstacle to crystallisation. 

Codeine, according to Pelletier consists of 31 parts of carbon ; 
40 parts of hydrogen ; 5 parts of oxygen, and 2 of azote. It is 
an alkaloid, soluble in water, alcohol and ether; but not so in 
alkaline solutions. It unites readily with acids, and with the 
muriatic acid especially forms a salt, which crystallises with great 
facility. When the crystals of codeine are heated on a plate of 
platina, they burn with a flame without leaving any residue. 
Heated in a tube, they melt at about 150° centigrade; and, if 
allowed to cool immediately, they form a crystalline mass ; if, how- 
ever, the heat be continued, the oleaginous fluid rises along the 
sides of the tube, appearing to shun the heat; but it does not vola- 
tilise. When dissolved in water, codeine communicates to it deci- 
dedly alkaline properties. 1000 parts of water at 60° Fahrenheit, 
dissolve 12.6 parts of codeine ; the same quantity at 100°, 37 parts, 
and at 21.2°, 58.8 parts. If more codeine be added to boiling water 
than can be taken up, the surplus melts, and forms, like the meco- 
nine, an oleaginous layer on the bottom of the vessel. This aqueous 
solution, by careful refrigeration, affords a translucent and uncom- 
monly well defined metal. The tincture of galls forms a copious 
precipitate with a solution of codeine, in which respect, the latter 
differs essentially from morphine, as it does in many other of its 
properties. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

As morphine does not represent the whole of the activity of 
opium, Robiquet concluded, that other substances might concur 
thereto, and he conjectured that codeine might be one of those. 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, cited in Amer. Journal of Pharmacy, new series, 
i, 171. Philad. 1835. 



120 dunglison's new remedies. 

Under this idea, Kunkel 1 instituted experiments with it on rabbits 
and dogs, from which he obtained the following results. 

First. Codeine differs from morphine in this, that it does not, 
like the latter, paralyse the lower extremities. Secondly, Codeine 
appears to exert a powerfully excitant action. It occasions convul- 
sions of the limbs, and of the muscles of the neck, and when it pro- 
duces death, this seems to be owing to its action on the cerebellum 
and medulla oblongata ; twice he noticed symptoms of backward 
progression under Its use, and those parts after death were found 
turgid with blood. To judge from the condition of the heart and 
lungs it affects likewise the circulatory organs. It occasions in- 
flammation of the tissues, with which it comes into immediate con- 
tact. Its action is more energetic, when introduced into the cellular 
membrane, than into the stomach. It seems, also, to exhibit a 
special action on the urinary organs, for animals to which it is 
given never evacuate their bladder as long as they are under its 
influence. Thirdly. The action of codeine differs from that of 
the watery extract of opium, in not paralysing the hinder extremi- 
ties ; but it approximates it in this, that it acts, as has been said, 
more powerfully when introduced into the cellular membrane than 
into the stomach, and accelerates the respiration and circulation. 

Kunkel, however, remarks upon the results of his experiments, 
that they demand repeated trials for confirmation, as he was only 
able to experiment with a very small quantity of the substance. 
Robiquet observes that Kunkel's experiments have led to the in- 
ference, that when codeine is combined with acids, it loses much 
of its efficacy — the very opposite, by the way, to the inferences of 
Magendie. 

Barbier 2 has taken considerable pains to fix the value of codeine 
as a remedial agent. He prescribed it in the dose of one or two 
grains in a syrup, prepared with the aqueous solution of the alka- 
loid, of such strength, that a table-spoonful or half an ounce con- 
tained one grain of codeine. In his opinion, it exerts a peculiar 
agency on the nerves of the ganglionic system, whilst it appears to 
possess but little influence on the hemispheres of the brain, and to 
make no impression upon the spinal marrow. In the epigastric 
region, he remarks, the agency of codeine is powerfully manifested ; 
and here in the centre of the ganglionic system, its effects may be 
investigated, and their extent and magnitude appreciated. If a 
spoonful, or, at an interval of from one to two hours, two spoonfuls 
of the syrup of codeine be administered to one affected with the 
symptoms to be described immediately, we shall find, that it ex- 
hibits a considerable and remarkable effect upon the economy. If 
the person complains of pain in the epigastric region, beneath the 
lower extremity of the sternum, and stretching to the sides and 
back ; and if, with these symptoms, there is combined a feeling of 

1 Journal de Chimie Medicale, ix, 223. 
* Gazette Medicale, Mars 8, 1834. 



CODEINA. 121 

heat, indescribable anxiety, marked debility, paleness, decided 
alteration of the features; a sense of painfnl traction sometimes on 
one side, at others in the other side of the epigastric region, with 
tendency to syncope, frequent sighing, despondency, and more or 
less sensibility to pressure in the epigastric region, &c. Barbier 
considers the seat of the disease to be the epigastric nervous 
plexus; and in such cases, he says, he has found no remedy supe- 
rior to the syrup of codeine. He has observed it afford decided relief 
where the coats of the stomach were manifestly in a state of degene- 
ration. Adbmmon effect of the codeine is sleep; which is never 
accompanied by heaviness of the head, or by determination of 
blood to the brain. When the persons awake from the sleep pro- 
duced by codeine, the countenance is bright and lively, and there 
is a tendency to laughter. Barbier was led to believe, that it does 
not affect the nervous cords connected with the vertebral portions 
of the centre of the nervous system. In his observations at the 
hospital of Amiens, he often noticed the neuralgic affection of the 
abdomen above mentioned to be accompanied by pains in the head, 
loins, and limbs, and whilst the codeine relieved the abdominal un- 
easiness, it left the others untouched — a singular circumstance if 
true, but requiring fresh observation before we can esteem it to be 
established. He remarks farther, that almost all the patients that 
were benefited by the codeine had used laudanum unsuccessfully. 
Codeine, he adds, occasions no manifest change in the circulation 
and respiration ; it does not disturb the digestive function ; seems 
merely to diminish the feeling of hunger, and occasions no con- 
stipation. During its use, itching of the surface is frequently ex- 
perienced. When applied to the skin, it induces no striking 
phenomena. When applied, in the dose of two grains, to a surface 
abraded by a blister, it excites a painful sensation of burning, 
without any other change appearing to supervene ; the neuralgic 
pains, for the removal of which it may have been thus employed, 
not appearing to be modified by it. 

Mr. Gregory made experiments upon himself and some of his 
pupils with the nitrate of codeine. None of them experienced any 
effect from a dose of three grains and under; from four to six 
grains, however, occasioned striking symptoms — quickness of the 
pulse, sense of heat in the head and face, remarkable excitement, 
like that following the use of intoxicating liquors; agreeable, and 
apparently permanent, stimulation, accompanied by considerable 
itching, which began at the head and extended over the whole 
body. To this succeeded, in the course of a few hours, a disagree- 
able sense of relaxation, with nausea, and often vomiting. None 
of the experimenters felt the slightest inclination to sleep, until 
after the supervention of the feeling of relaxation. 

Riecke 1 thinks, that these experiments confirm Kunkel's obser- 

1 Die neuern Arzneimiltel, u. s. w. S. 140. Stuttgart, 1837. 



122 dunglison's new remedies. 

vations, that the codeine loses its efficacy when combined with 
acids. 

In the year 1834, M. Martin Solon, at one of the sittings of the 
Academie Royale de Medecine, when the experiments of Barbier 
with codeine were the subject of discussion, confirmed his views 
regarding its soporific property. It appeared to him to allay the 
cough of the consumptive. He remarked, however, that he had 
not observed the effects on the ganglionic nervous system, which 
Barbier had witnessed. 

Magendie 2 took a grain of codeine, dissolved it in a* little water, 
and injected it into the jugular vein of a middle sized dog, which 
was immediately thrown into a profound sleep — readily broken, 
however, by any strong noise made in the vicinity of the ani- 
mal ; but the interruption was of brief duration, — sleep soon 
recurring. This condition persisted for several hours without 
being accompanied by any unpleasant symptoms. The effect was 
not the same with the muriate of codeine ; a single grain of this 
salt introduced in the same manner into the organism suddenly 
induced deep sleep, but after the animal had slept five or six hours, 
it died. Several similar experiments afforded a like result. Ma- 
gendie administered the codeine in the Hotel Dieu to different 
patients. He found that one grain, given once or twice, succeeded, 
in many cases, in inducing a quiet and soft sleep, to which no con- 
fusion succeeded the next day, as is commonly the case with mor- 
phine. As respects intensity of action, he compares one grain of 
codeine to half a grain of morphine. Two grains often excited 
nausea, and even vomiting. Magendie found the muriate to be 
decidedly stronger than the pure codeine. Two grains commonly 
induced, besides sleep, vertigo, nausea and even vomiting; but this 
dose succeeded like a charm, in cases of neuralgia faciei and in 
sciatica, which had resisted the most valued agents. 2 

Dr. Miranda, of the Havana, has published 3 the results of his ex- 
perience with codeine in what he calls powerful nervous irritations 
of the mucous membrane of the stomach, and he affirms, that he 
cured eleven cases by the syrup of codeine alone. 

He began with a dram of the syrup night and morning, and 
gradually increased the quantity to an ounce in the twenty-four 
hours. His success was so striking that he is induced to " regard 
the discovery of codeine as fortunate for humanity, especially for 
climates like that of the Havana, in which gastrites are so multi- 
plied." 

The syrup of codeine, syrupus codeince, is directed by M. Cap 4 
to be prepared iu the following manner : — 

1 Forraulaire pour la preparation et l'emploi de pleusieurs nouveaux medi- 
camens. Edit. 9me. Paris, 1836. 

2 Gully's Translation of the 8th edit, of Magendie's Formulaire. Lond. 
1835. 

3 Journal de Pharmacie, xxiv, 145- Paris, 1838. 
* Ibid, xxiii, 418. Paris, 1837. 



COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE. 123 

5«. Codein. gr. xxiv. 
Aqua? distillat. %'w. 
Sacchar. puriflcat. ^viij. 

Reduce the codeine to an impalpable powder in a glass or porce- 
lain mortar. Triturate with one third of the water, allow it to 
settle and decant. Treat the residuum with another third of the 
water, and again with the remainder. Put the whole into a small 
rnattrass, covering the opening with a piece of moistened parch- 
ment perforated with a pinhole. Heat in a water bath until the 
codeine has entirely disappeared. Remove the mattrass from the 
fire to add the sugar ; cover the opening again ; agitate, and put the 
vessel again in the bath, until the sugar is completely dissolved. 

Each ounce of the syrup contains two grains of codeine. 

The muriate has been used in this city, but it has not been found 
to possess any virtues which the salts of morphine do not ; whilst 
its price is enormous — as much, we are informed, as four dollars 
the dram. 



COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE. 

Synonymes.— Colchicum, Meadow Saffron. 

French.— Colchique, Tue-Chien, Mort aux Chiens, Safran des Pres, Safran 

Batard, Vieillotte. 
Gei*man. — Herbslzeitlose, Zeitlose, Wiesensafran. Herbstblume. 

The meadow saffron is a well-known plant in the temperate 
parts of Europe, where it grows wild in moist meadows. It be- 
longs to the family Colchicacese ; and, in the Linnean system, to the 
class Hexandria, order Trigynia. The plant is avoided by cattle ; and 
its active poisonous properties have been long known ; fatal cases, 
indeed, still occur every now and then from its employment, not only 
in animals, but in consequence of its too free use in the treatment 
of gout. A case is given of a man who took, by mistake, an ounce 
and a half of the tincture, and died in forty-eight hours, after much 
suffering from vomiting, acute pain in the stomach, colic, purging, 
and delirium. 1 The cases of two children are also on record, who 
were poisoned by a handful of the seeds, and who died in the course 
of the day, death being preceded by violent vomiting and purging. 
In the bodies of these children, considerable redness of the mucous 
coat of the stomach and small intestines was found ; in other cases, 
no morbid appearance has been detected. 2 

Colchicum is not of modern introduction. It is, indeed, the Her- 
modactyl of the ancients. It had, however, almost wholly fallen 
into neglect, when its use was revived in Great Britain, in the first 

1 Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journal, xiv. 262. 

* Christison on Poisons, 3d edit. p. 791. Edinb. 1836. 



124 dunglison's new remedies. 

quarter of the present century, as an excellent agent in rheumatic 
and gouty affections. That it is highly esteemfd as a therapeutical 
agent is shown by the number of officinal works into which it has 
been admitted. Amongst others, it is in the pharmacopasias of 
Austria, the United States, Amsterdam, and Anvers, and in the Ba- 
tavian, Belgic, Brunswick, Danish, Dublin, Spanish, Edinburgh, 
Paris, Ferrara, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannoverian, London, Lisbon, 
Russian, Saxon, Swedish, and Wirtemberg. 

Several chemists have investigated the composition of the plant. 
Pelletier and Caventou believed that they had found veratrine in 
it ; but, from the examination of Geiger and Hesse, it appears that 
the alkaloid, discovered by those gentlemen, was not veratrine, but 
a peculiar piinciple, colchicine, which is found in every part of the 
plant; crystallises in slender needles, is inodorous, and of a very 
bitter, and afterwards biting taste. Introduced into the nose, it 
does not occasion sneezing like veratrine. It has but a feeble 
alkaline reaction ; but neutralises acids completely, and forms with 
them crystallisable salts, which have also a bitter pungent taste. 
It dissolves with tolerable facility in water. 

For therapeutical purposes, the root or bulb, (cormus,) as well as 
the flowers and seeds of the colchicum have been administered. 
The fresh root has a somewhat disagreeable smell, and a bitterish 
acrid taste. When chewed for any length of time, it excites the 
secretion of saliva and thirst; destroys the feeling of the tongue; 
causes a sense of burning in the mouth and lips; constriction of 
the fauces, hiccup, violent pains in the abdomen, vomiting, diarrhoea, 
and discharge of blood upwards and downwards. 

By drying, the bulbs lose somewhat of their efficacy. The seeds 
have of late come much into use. They are inodorous, but of a 
very acrid taste. Their agency is like that of the bulb, and — some 
think — they are more equable in their effects. To ensure this, how- 
ever, they must be gathered wholly ripe, when they first become 
entirely black. They have been highly recommended by Dr. Wil- 
liams and others. 

The flowers are the mildest part of the plant. They have like- 
wise been successfully administered by several English physicians. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

In its effects, colchicum resembles digitalis in one thing, that it 
renders the pulse less frequent, 1 according to Thomson and Wallis; 
but, in other respects, Osann and Riecke 2 think it agrees more with 
the squill. In moderate doses, the different parts of the plant that 
have been mentioned act as diaphoretics, diuretics, and cathartics. 



1 Art. Colchicum, Encyc. Wurterb. der med. Wissensch. viii. 136. Berlin, 
1832. 
* Op. cit. S. 142. 



COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE. 125 

On the digestive organs, they are conceived to produce less debili- 
tating effects than the squill. 

Sir Everard Home ascribes much of the griping and nauseating 
effect, that sometimes follows the use of the vinous and other tinc- 
tures of colchicum, which have not been carefully filtered, to the 
sediment which forms in them, and which may be removed without 
injury to the specific effect of the medicine. 1 

Several experiments were made with the colchicum on healthy 
individuals. In the first case, 160 drops of the vinous tincture of 
the seeds were taken in 24 hours by a young man, aged 18: the 
first dose being 50 drops, the last 60. Seven copious evacuations 
were produced" with loss of appetite and debility, for 24 hours, In 
the second case, a youth, 17 years old, took 170 drops in 9 hours, 
in doses of 70, 30, and 40 drops; nausea and vomiting, and six 
copious evacuations followed. Third case ; a youth, aged 15, took 
130 drops in 10 hours, and in four doses ; the first of 40 drops, and 
the last three of 30 : vomiting and only one stool were the result. 
Fourth case; a youth, aged 12, took 60 drops in two doses, after 
an interval of eight hours: nine copious watery evacuations were 
produced. Fifth case ; a youth, aged 17, took 40 drops at bed-time, 
30 drops next morning, and 30 drops seven hours after — in all, 100 
drops in 19 hours : vomiting and faintness, and five copious evacu- 
ations were the result. The same boy afterwards took 70 drops at 
one dose, which were followed by vomiting and headach,but not by 
purging. Sixth case ; a boy, aged 10, took 80 drops in 24£ hours, 
in four doses, of 20, 15, 25, and 20 drops: great sickness and vo- 
miting, and nine evacuations resulted. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

The diseases in which colchicum is recommended, are as follows: 
In gouty and rheumatic cases, it has been supposed to be almost 
a specific. Numerous practitioners have testified to its valuable 
agency in such affections; among these. may be named Mr. Want, 
Dr. Johnson, Dr. Williams, Mr. Battley, Dr. Armstrong, Sir Eve- 
rard Home, Sir C. Scudamore, Mr. Haden, Dr. Copland, Dr. 
Graves, Sir Henry Halford, Dr. Wallis, Dr. Barlow, 2 and Mr. 
Wigan, 3 in England ; and Locher-Balher, Kahleis, Gumpert, 
Plasse, Weber, Klokow, Biermann, &c. in Germany. 4 

1 Brande's Dictionary of Mat. Med. p. 189. Lond. 1839. 

2 Art. Gout, in Cyclopaedia of Practical Medicine. 

3 Lancet, and Med. Gaz. June 30, 1838. In rheumatic gout, Mr. Wigan 
gives it in the dose of eight grains every hour, until "active vomiting, pro- 
fuse purging, or ahundant perspiration takes place, or at least until the sto- 
mach can hear no more." Thus administered, he pronounces it to be " the 
most easily managed, the most universally applicable, the safest, and the 
most certain specific (?) in the whole compass of our opulent Pharmaco- 
poeia." 

* Riecke, Op. cit. and Richter's Specielle Therapie, x. ISO. Berlin, 1828. 



126 dunglison's new remedies. 

Colchicum is presumed to be the active ingredient of the cele- 
brated gout remedy — the Eau medicinale d'Husson — which has 
been considered to be formed of two ounces of the colchicum root, 
macerated in eight ounces of Sherry wine; the dose being from 
twenty to eighty drops. 

In acute rheumatism, as well as in various inflammatory affec- 
tions, colchicum was proposed by the author's friend, Mr. Charles 
T. Haden, 1 as an excellent sedative to reduce the excited organic 
action, which he conceived it capable of effecting to such an ex- 
tent, that blood-letting might generally be rendered unnecessary in 
febrile and inflammatory disorders; 2 yet, in the very cases in which 
it was esteemed so appropriate by Mr. Haden and by Carminati, 3 
it is regarded unadvisable by others. Thus, Riecke, 4 speaking of 
its use in acute rheumatism, says that it was at one time given 
in that disease under the most opposite circumstances, but that it 
was soon found necessary to restrict its employment within nar- 
rower limits, and to pretermit it when any considerable febrile con- 
dition existed. 

We have often exhibited the different preparations of colchicum 
in gout, and frequently with decided advantage; but very often it 
has failed altogether. In our own person, it has never appeared to 
prevent or to modify the paroxysm. In acute, and the same may be 
said of chronic rheumatism, its advantages have not been by any 
means clearly marked in our experience, yet many physicians tes- 
tify most strongly in its favour. Like other acronarcotics, as the 
actaea racemosa, when pushed to the extent of slightly affecting 
the system, as shown by nausea, with some cerebral confusion, it 
has at times effected a revulsion, which has broken in upon the 
morbid chain in cases of acute rheumatism. In chronic rheumatism 
it has exhibited less marked results: yet there is no agent, perhaps, 
which is so much employed in rheumatic, cases in general. 

In none of these cas-es, according to most observers, need any 
sensible evacuation be produced by it, although some, we have 
seen, have affirmed — and such is the result of our observation — 
that it is more efficient when it evinces its influence upon the skin 
or alimentary canal. 5 

The vinous tincture of the seeds has been extolled in the tetanus 
of warm climates, by Dr. W. G. Smith, 6 of Port-au Prince. He 
begins with 3ss. and increases the dose every half hour, repeating 

1 Practical Observations on Colchicum Autumnale in Inflammatory Dis- 
eases. Lond. 1820 

2 See, also, Dr. Lewins, in Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journal for April, 1837, 
and in Brit, and For. Medical Review, for Oct. 1837, p. 565. 

3 Memor. dell' Instituto del Regno Lombardo-Venet. 1819. 
* Op. cit. S. 143. 

5 See Wood and Bache's Dispensatory, Art. Colchicum; and Lewins, 
Op. citat. 

6 Amer. Journ. of the Med. Sciences, for Nov. 1535, p. 66. 



COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE. 127 

it until emesis or catharsis has been produced. The remedy is then 
discontinued. 

In dropsy, colchicum was used of old with good results; and it 
has been employed in modern times. Carminati gives the details 
of a case of dropsy supervening- in scarlatina, and Plasse, one of 
hydrothorax, in which it was advantageously prescribed. In such 
cases, it may be well to push the remedy until it affects the bowels. 

In chronic bronchitis it has been given by many physicians, and 
especially by Drs. Armstrong 1 and Hastings, 2 with advantage. By 
Ritton 3 it has been advised as an extremely efficacious remedy in 
leucorrhoea, in the dose of five grains of the powder three times a 
day ; and in several spasmodic diseases it has been extolled by 
Raven. Mr. Tait 4 speaks in exalted terms of it in scarlatina — the 
dose, to children from four to six years of age, being three or four 
drops of the vinum colchici every three or four hours. Mr. Fosbroke 
advises it in ischuria; Elliotson saw favourable effects from it in 
obstinate prurigo; Bullock gave it in erysipelas; and by Chisholm 
and Baumbach 5 it was exhibited successfully against tapeworm. 

The colchicum is sometimes applied externally as a liniment to 
rheumatic joints, in the form of the tincture of the seeds or bulb. 6 
Of late, it has been recommended by Mr. Wansborongh in gout; 7 
two drams of the tincture of the seeds being added to giv. of a spirit 
lotion. It is affirmed, however, that the local use of morphine had 
the same effect, 8 — the part being bathed in hot water for a minute, 
and then lint being applied, spread with simple cerate, on which 
about three grains of acetate of morphine were distributed. 

Still more recently, Mr. Laycock 9 has advised the tincture of the 
root as an external application in rheumatism, alone or combined 
with the tinctura camphorae. It has been used in the author's 
clinique at the Philadelphia Hospital, and often with advantage; 
but whether much or any of the benefit was produced by the col- 
chicum, the author was unable to decide. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Colchicum is not so frequently given in substance, although we 
often prescribe it in this form. The dose of the powdered root is 
from three grains to ten, given several times in the day. The offi- 

1 Pathology of Consumptive Diseases. Lond. 1822. 

2 Inflammation of the Mucous Membrane of the Lungs. Lond. 1821. 
s Lancet, August 2, 1834. 

4 American Journal of the Medical Sciences, May, 1838, p. 205. 

6 Rust's Ma«azin, B. xxi. S. 270; and Osann, in art. Colchicum, in 
Encyclopad. Worterb. der raedicin. Wissenschaft. B. viii. S. 136. Berlin, 
1832. 

8 Dictionnaire de Maiiere Medic, par MM. Merat & De Lens, ii. 361. 

7 Lancet, July 29, 1837. 

8 Ibid. August 5, 1837. 

9 Lond. Med. Gaz. March 16, 1839. 



128 dunglison's new remedies. 

cinal preparations of this country and Great Britain are; — the 
acetimi colchici (United States and London); the oxymel colchici 
(Dublin)-; the syrupus colchici (United States and Edinburgh); 
the vintim colchici radicis (United States and London); and the 
extracturn colchici aceticum (London). These are made from the 
bulb. 

The officinal preparations from the seeds are the tinctura semi- 
num colchici (Dublin); and vinum colchici seminis (United 
States). 1 The London Pharmacopoeia has, likewise, a spiritus se- 
minis colchici ammoniatus or tinctura colchici composita, which 
is much used by the English physicians; and is formed by mace- 
rating two ounces and a half of bruised colchicum seeds in a pint 
of aromatic spirit of ammonia. Battley recommends an Extracturn 
colchici e succo bulborum recenter expresso, and such a prepara- 
tion is in the Pharmacopoeia of Austria. 2 The dose is two grains 
every two hours. 

Dr. A. T. Thomson recommends a saturated vinous tincture, 
made by macerating an ounce and a half of the dried bulb in twelve 
ounces of white wine. From thirty to sixty minims to be given to 
gouty patients when in pain. 

The dose of the powdered root or seed is, as we have said, from 
three to ten grains; of the acetum colchici, from thirty minims to 
one fluid drachm; of the syrupus colchici, from one fluid dram to 
half a fluid ounce; of the vinum colchici radicis, from fifteen mi- 
nims to one and a half fluid dram; and of the vinum colchici 
seminis, from one to two fluid drams. 

Dr. Copland 3 suggested the use of the fresh flowers in the form 
of vinegar, tincture, &c, as milder than the seeds or bulbs, and yet 
equally efficacious in rheumatic and other affections; but they are 
not employed. 

Mistura Colchici. 
Mixture of Colchicum. 
&. Magnes. sulphat. gj to gij. 
Aqua? menth. crisp. Jx. 



Solve in 
Adde 



Acet. colchic. 3j ad §iss. 
Syrup, croc. gj. 
Magnes. Bviij. M. 

To be well shaken. Three table spoonfuls to be administered, 
so that from four to six evacuations may be produced in twenty-four 
hours. Given in paroxysms of gout. 

Sir C. Scudamore. 

•Dunglison's General Therapeutics, Philad. 1836; and Dispensatory of 
Messrs. Wood and Bache. 

* Jourdan's Pharmacopee Universelle, i. 436. Paris, 1828. 
3 Lond. Med. Repos. 1823. 



Solve in 



CORTEX ADSTRINGENS BRASILIENSIS. 129 

Guttce. Colchici Composite^. 
Compound Drops of Cholchicum. 
&. Extract, aconit. 9i. to ^ss. 

Vin. sem. colchic. §ss. M. 
Fifteen, twenty, thirty, or forty drops to be given three times a 
day. Weber. 

5<. Tinctur. sera, colchic. 

guaiac. sirapl. aa. giij. M. 

Dose — Thirty or forty drops three times a day, in chronic rheu- 
matism. Blasius. 

B<. Tinct. sem. colchic. 

digit, aa. £ij. 

Sp. aether, nitric 3j. M. 

Dose — Twenty drops on sugar. Hildenbrand. 

Pihdce Colchici. 

Pills of Colchicum. 

£. Pulv. colchic. gr. iij. 

Saponis medic, q. s. ut fiat pimla. 

Dose — Three daily, increasing the quantity to five or six. 

RlTTON. 

Linimentum Colchici et Camphorce. 

&. Tinctur. rad. colchic. 

Camphors, aa. partes sequales. M. 

Laycock. 



CORTEX ADSTRINGENS BRASILIENSIS. 

This bark was introduced into Germany, in the year 1818, by 
Schimmelbusch, a merchant, who carried it from Brazil, where it 
had long been used internally as well as externally, as an excellent 
astringent. 1 According to Von Martins, 2 it is the bark of the acacia 
jurema, but this is not certainly determined. 3 Merrem 4 affirms, 
that the genuine bark is in more or less flat pieces, at times in half, 
or complete rolls, from four to twelve inches long; from an inch to 
two inches und a half broad, and from one to four lines thick : these 
arc more frequently straight than crooked. The bark may be sepa- 
rated into two parts, an outer, which is rough, and an inner rind 

' Von Schlectentlal, in Encyclop. Wiirtcrb. dermedicin. Wissenschaft. B, 
viii. S. 538. Berlin, 1832. 

2 Reise, ii. 788. 

3 Riccke, Dip neuern Arzneimittel, S. 146. 

4 Ueber den Cortex adstringens Brasiliensis. Koln, 1828. 

8 — a dungl 9 



130 dunglison's new remedies. 

of a smooth fibrous character : the two are but loosely connected 
together. The outer bark is of a grayish brown colour, traversed 
by longitudinal and transverse furrows, having, here and there, 
white and grayish white crusty growths, covered with a foliated 
lichen. The inner bark is of a dark red brown on its outer sur- 
face, and, after the outer bark has been separated, is somewhat 
smooth : on the inner side, it is of a brighter reddish brown, and, 
probably owing to the laceration of the woody splinters, somewhat 
fibrous. The younger bark is smooth in the fracture, and of a dull 
splendour. The older bark, which is thicker, is unequal, and may 
often be separated into fibrous layers, which are readily lacerable. 
When chewed, it has a tolerably strong astringent, somewhat bitter 
and disagreeable taste, but it does not excite nausea, or leave any 
arriere-gout. It has scarcely any smell. In its chemical relations, 
it resembles the ratanhy. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Merrem, who made numerous experiments with this bark, affirms, 
that whilst it possesses the properties of astringents in general, and 
to a high degree, it is rather sedative than exciting, agrees with 
the digestive organs, and aids the peristaltic action. He employed 
it, first, with more or less success, in hemorrhage — in epistaxis, 
haemoptysis, and metrorrhagia; and Gunther 2 found it very effica- 
cious in profuse menstruation arising from atony of the uterus. 
Secondly; in mucous discharges, as leucorrhoea, blennorrhoea, &c. 
Thirdly ; in inflammatory and exanthematous affections — as cy- 
nanche, urticaria, and in periodical erysipelas of the face. Fourthly ; 
in nervous diseases, especially when combined with disturbance of 
the menstrual function, and leucorrhoea: and, fifthly; in weakness 
and catarrhs of the genital organs, bladder, and rectum. The In- 
dians consider, that the bark affects especially the generative appa- 
ratus, and, from the experiments of Merrem, it would seem, that its 
agency is more particularly exerted in cases of leucorrhoea ; and in 
many, after the cinchona had been administered without effect. 3 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Merrem prescribed it in various forms. He gave the powder in 
doses of from £j to 3ss, three or four times a day, mixed with 
water. It appeared to him to act most beneficially in cases of mu- 
cous discharges unaccompanied by disorder of the digestive func- 
tions ; and he found that the powder was better borne by some 

* See the analysis by Hofrath Trommsdorff, in Brande's Archiv. B. 
xxxiii. S. 260; and Dierbach in Heidelberg. Annalen, B. x. H. 3. S. 357. 
Heidelb. 1834. 

2 In Harless Rhein-Westphal. Jahrbuchern, B. viii. St. 1, S. 72; and 
Brande's Archiv. Band xi. S. 200. 

* Osann, in Encyc. Wurterbuch der medicin. Wissensch. viii. 541. 



CREOSOTON. 131 

than the decoction, which is somewhat singular, as the woody matter 
is more apt, in such cases, to disagree. He rarely gave it com- 
bined with aromatics, and never found the combination of use. To 
form the decoction, an ounce of the coarsely powdered bark was 
boiled with sixteen ounces of water, down to gviij ; and to this an 
ounce of syrup was added. The dose was from one to two spoon- 
fuls every two hours. Merrem also prepared an extract, and a 
tincture, in the same manner as these preparations are made of the 
cinchona ; of the former he took from one to two drams, dis- 
solved it in six ounces of an aromatic water, and added §ss of 
syrup. Of the mixture, a spoonful was given every hour. 

Externally, the decoction was injected three times a day in 
leucorrhoea, and in blennorrhoea ; or, in the former disease, a 
sponge imbued with the decoction, was introduced, and kept there 
for some time. It has been applied, also, as an astringent to ulcers. 

Mistura Corticis Brasiliensis Adstringentis. 

Mixture of the Astringent Bark of Brazil. 

fy. Decoct, cort. adstring. Brazil. §vij. 
Copaib. cum vitelli ovi q. s. subact. 
Tinct. ferri pomati aa. ^ij. 
Syrup, balsam. §j. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful every two hours, in obstinate gonorrhoea and 
leucorrhoea. Merrem. 

&. Cort. adstring. Brasil. ^ss. 
Coque cum aquae fontan. q. s. 
Sub fin. coction. adde 

Herb, sabin. |ss. 

Colaturse §viij. adde 

Syrup, cort. aurant. ^j. 

Dose. — A spoonful every hour, in cancer of the uterus, and in 
the hemorrhage thence arising:. Merrem. 



CREOSOTON. 

Synonymes.— Creosoturn, Kreosoton, Kreosotum, Creasoton, Creosote, Cre- 

asote, Kreosote, Kreasote. 
German. — Kreosot. 

This substance was first discovered, a few years ago, by Reichen- 
bach, of Blansko. and is extensively employed as a therapeutical 
agent. Its marked chemical properties suggested, that it might be 
possessed of a decided influence on the economy, and numerous 
experiments were immediately instituted to test the accuracy of the 
notion. These were of the most opposite character, and it is not 



132 dunglison's new remedies. 

surprising, as in every similar case, that there should have been 
great discrepancy in the results, and in the opinions deduced there- 
from. There can be no doubt, however, that the creosote forms a 
valuable addition to the list of our remedial agents. 



MODE OF PREPARING. 

The process given by Koene, 1 is esteemed one of the best for 
preparing it on a large scale ; — almost the only way in which it is 
formed : we consequently meet with it only in commerce; — being 
rarely made in the shops. 

Tar, derived from pit-coal, is distilled in a retort provided with a 
long tube, having a large mouth. Under this is placed a receiver. 
The oil, which comes over first, swims on water; and it is neces- 
sary to remove, from time to time, ihe products of the distillation, 
until an oil is obtained, which sinks in water. When this is the 
case, the product is collected. The heavy oil, obtained during the 
distillation, condenses not only in the receiver, but in the tube of 
the retort, where it unites with the naphthaline, forming a butyra- 
ceous substance. By applying a gentle heat, the mass will drop 
into the receiver. The product is now allowed to remain in a cool 
place for some hours, after which it is pressed. The expressed 
naphthaline still contains oil, which is separated by heating it with 
its own weight of acetic acid, until it melts. After allowing it 
to cool, the crystallised naphtha is pressed, and the acid adhering 
to the creosote is saturated with subcarbonate of potassa. The 
creosote, is now to be shaken for a quarter of an hour with phos- 
phoric acid, the proportions being half an ounce of the acid to 
twenty ounces of the oil. The mixture ought then to be agitated 
with its bulk of water, and afterwards be distilled with a graduated 
heat, care being taken to separate the oil which floats on the sur- 
face. The rectified oil is now to be dissolved in its own volume of 
a hot solution of caustic potassa. s. g. 1.120. When it has been 
allowed to cool for half an hour, the supernatant oil is again re- 
moved, and the heavy oil again treated with caustic potassa, only 
a fourth part of the solution being, however, employed this time. 
On uniting the solutions of potassa, a slight excess of diluted phos- 
phoric acid is added, and the free creosote, which floats on the sur- 
face, is separated. It is again rectified ; and the first product — 
which is chiefly water — being rejected, the creosote comes over 
pure. M. Koene recommends the substance, thus prepared, to be 
preserved in bottles, covered with black paper. 

A protracted and complex process, like the above, necessarily 
makes the drug expensive, especially as the quantity obtained is 

1 Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Juillet, 1835. See Cormack on 
Creosote, p. 36. Lond. 1S36; or the Amer. edit, in Dunglison's American 
Medical Library ; also, Turner's Chemistry, 5ih edit. p. 872. 



CREOSOTON. 133 

but small. M. Koene procured by it ten drams from thirty-two 
ounces of tar. M. Lemere, one of the first Parisian pharmaciens 
who made pure creosote, obtained from eight hundred pounds of 
tar about six pounds of creosote. 

Reichenbach generally prepared it from the tar of the beech by 
six distillations ; dissolving it afterwards in a solution of caustic 
potassa three times, setting it free successively by sulphuric acid. 1 

Giordano 2 has recommended the following simplified mode for 
obtaining it. Distil wood tar from the willow, at an elevated tem- 
perature, from a tinned copper retort, until the residue has the con- 
sistence of a soft pitch. Re-distil the liquor passed over till its 
residue resembles the former. The liquor, neutralised by subcar- 
bonate of potassa, or lime-water, is re-distilled till all the oil of creo- 
sote has passed over. The oil is dissolved in caustic potassa, from 
which, after simmering a little, in a porcelain vessel, and cooling, 
the eupione, which floats, is easily separated. The same opera- 
lion is repeated with the eupione, to remove all the oil that is united 
with it. The saponaceous liquor, treated with dilute sulphuric 
acid, is distilled into water, from which the creosote is separated, 
and the water saturated with creosote is kept for external use, or 
re-distilled for a concentrated acetic acid of a pungent and most 
agreeable odour. 

Creosote is a colourless, transparent fluid. Its refractive power 
is very great, and in angular glass vessels it is beautifully irides- 
cent. Its odour is penetrating, and disagreeable, but not offensive: 
many compare it to that of castor. It adheres to every thing, and 
is somewhat permanent. Its taste is at first very burning and 
caustic to the tongue ; but on admixture with the saliva, it becomes 
somewhat sweetish. It has an oleaginous feel, and is of about the 
consistence of oil of almonds. Its specific gravity, at 68° Fahr., 
is 1.037. It boils at 397°, and at— 17° does" not congeal. When 
placed on paper, it forms a greasy spot, which, however, dis- 
appears after a while, and can be removed by the application of a 
heated body, without any residue. It is a non-conductor of electri- 
city. With water at 08°, it unites in two different proportions ; — 
one of the combinations consisting of 1| parts of creosote and 100 
of water ; the other of 10 parts of water and 100 parts of creosote. 
The taste of the first mixture— creosote water — is very burning at 
first, and afterwards sweetish, like that of pure creosote, but of 



1 For an account of this and other products of the destructive distillation 
of vegetable matter, see Cormack, Op. cit. Reichenbach's observations and 
experiments are contained in a work entitled " Das Kreosot in chemischer, 
physischer und medicinischer Bezichung, von Dr. K. Reichenbach, u. s. w. 
Zweite mit Nachtragen und Zusatzen von Sehweigger-Seidel verm. Aus- 
gabe. Leipz. 1835;" and Annales de Chimie, liii. 325. Paris, 1S33. 

2 Annali di Medicina, Aprile, 1835, and Br. and For. Med. Rev. July, 
1836, p. 283. For the process of Calderini, see Edinb. Med. and Surg. 
Journ. for Oct. 1834; and for that of M. Cozzi, see Journal de Chimie Me- 
dicate, and American Journal of Pharmacy, Jan. 1839, p. 339. 



134 dunglison's new remedies. 

course weaker. A drop of creosote in 10,000 parts of water pro- 
duces a marked impression on the tongue, and has a smoky smell. 
Litmus and turmeric paper are not in the least changed by it ; so 
that it has neither an acid nor an alkaline reaction. At both poles 
of the galvanic battery, it furnishes numerous and striking combi- 
nations. It does not possess the property of the ordinary empy- 
reumatic oils, of becoming yellow and inspissated. It dissolves 
iodine, phosphorus, and sulphur. Acetic acid at 1.070, and alcohol, 
dissolve it in all proportions. Ether and petroleum likewise com- 
bine with it in all proportions. With potassa, it forms two or three 
combinations, one of which crystallises. Resins and resinous bodies 
either decompose creosote, or it decomposes them. With balsams, 
fixed and volatile oils, camphor, and the vegetable alkaloids it 
unites readily. It coagulates albumen, and its antiseptic property 
is most remarkable, whence its name, from xge«s, flesh, and <™&, 
I preserve:— o-wTo;, "preserver." Fresh meat, placed in creosote 
water for half an hour or an hour, and then taken out and 
dried, may be exposed to the heat of the sun without undergoing 
putrefaction. Nay, when flesh has begun to be putrid, the process 
ceases after it has been washed with creosote water, and if suffered 
to remain immersed in it for an hour, it does not subsequently pu- 
trefy. There can be but little doubt, consequently, that creosote is 
the main antiseptic and conservative principle of the pyroligneous 
acid, and of tar water. From the experiments made by Reichenbach 
to determine the exact components of the flesh on which the creo- 
sote acts, he arrived at the following results. It unites with the 
albumen and red particles of the blood in the flesh, which it coagu- 
lates, without acting on the fleshy fibre, which serves merely as the 
frame-work for the coagulated matters ; and it is well known that 
dried albumen does not putrefy, but becomes hard, brittle, and 
transparent. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

Reichenbach has properly remarked that the excessive burning 
pain in the tongue, which creosote causes, must have at once sug- 
gested it to be a poisonous substance. It was soon found that 
plants, sprinkled with creosote water, died ; that fish placed in it 
were convulsed: and that small animals, as wasps and fiies, died 
when touched with pure creosote. If a small quantity of it be 
spread upon the hand, and washed off a minute afterwards, the 
place is found to present a white appearance, but without pain or in- 
flammation. In the course of a few days, the place becomes dry, 
and the cuticle desquamates. When creosote is applied to a part 
where the epidermis is deficient, or to a wound, instantaneously an 
extremely violent burning pain is experienced, which continues for 
eight or ten minutes, but if the part be carefully washed, it gradu- 
ally ceases. The cause of this is conceived to be the property 
which creosote possesses of congulating albumen; and, where 



CRE0S0T0N. 135 

blood is flowing, of arresting it. If the rapid disturbance, which it. 
excites, affects important organs, death results sooner or later 
according to their importance in the economy ; relief, however, 
may be afforded by those substances that dissolve coagulated albu- 
men, as caustic alkalies, acetic acid, <fcc. It is probable, however, 
that the poisonous properties result from its acrid character. 

To appreciate the physiological effects of creosote, experiments 
have been undertaken by many individuals. Miguet gave a young 
dog, for eight days, an ounce a day of distilled water containing 
four drops of creosote, without any effect. When, however, he 
doubled the dose, nausea, languor, subsultus tendinum and tremors 
occurred, followed in the course of a few days, by marked emacia- 
tion. On discontinuing the creosote, the functions gradually re- 
sumed their pristine condition, and the animal recovered its flesh. 
To another dog, he gave at once two drams in half an ounce of 
water, and immediately thereafter great prostration of the muscular 
system ensued — vertigo, fixed eyes, stupor, dyspnoea, accumulation 
of mucus in the air passages, spasmodic cough, discharge of large 
quantities of foamy saliva, with vomiting of a milky matter, al- 
though the animal had taken nothing of the kind. After two hours 
of suffering, the animal died of convulsions. The body was im- 
mediately opened ; all the tissues, except the liver, exhaled a strong 
smell of creosote ; the whole of the mucous membrane of the intes- 
tinal canal was inflamed. The matters contained in the stomach 
coagulated when placed in contact with albumen. When heated, 
they yielded a thick smoke, and a marked smell of creosote. In 
the heart and large vessels the blood was more firmly coagulated 
than usual : the lungs were gorged with blood ; in the brain there 
was no evidence either of congestion or hemorrhage. 

In another dog, into whose carotid equal portions of water and 
creosote were injected, death resulted with similar phenomena, but 
more rapidly. The precise quantity of creosote used in this ex- 
periment is not stated. 

Simon, in his experiments, found that when ten drops of creosote, 
diluted, were injected into a vein, scarcely any effect resulted. 

Reiter and Muller, who likewise made experiments on animals, 
agree with Simon, as to the result of injections of creosote into>the 
veins ; no special symptoms were induced by it, but this appeared 
to be owing to the blood being instantaneously coagulated by it, 
which not only prevented the farther progress of the creosote, but 
also of the blood, hence no evil consequences resulted ; and it is 
probable, as Riecke has suggested, 1 that the weaker the solution of 
creosote, within certain limits, the greater may be its effect on the 
mass of blood. 

Corneliani, 2 an Italian physician, has also instituted a series of 

1 Die ncuem Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 153. 

2 Giornale delle Scienze Medico-Chirunriche, No. 8. Febrajo, 1835; Brit, 
and Foreign Med. Review, p. 265, Jan. 1836, and Journ. de Chimie Medi- 
cate, Fev. 1836. 



136 dunglison's new remedies. 

experiments with creosote on lambs, rabbits, &c. All these animals 
bore small doses of creosote — however unwillingly it might be 
taken — without any remarkable results, and without loss of appe- 
tite. Large doses, however, immediately occasioned general torpor, 
sudden inclination to pass the urine, paralysis — especially of the 
lower extremities — with or without convulsions, and frequently the 
ejection of a bloody foam. When the doses were large, and it was 
but little diluted, death took place in a few minutes, and on exami- 
nation, the inner lining of the stomach was generally found cor- 
roded, yet not so constantly as to allow of death being ascribed to 
that circumstance. 

It followed, farther, from his experiments, that pure creosote ap- 
plied to a denuded nerve, or injected only in small quantities into a 
vein, may occasion death suddenly, and that the application of the 
creosote to extensive wounded surfaces in the same animals may 
be ultimately followed by fatal consequences. 

Where a very large dose of creosote was administered, immediate 
death was produced without organic lesion. 

In the trials made with it by Dr. Elliotson, 1 he found no action 
produced upon the bowels; but it sometimes augmented the quan- 
tity of urine. He once saw it, in doses of a minim three times 
a day, cause micturition nine times in an hour. In another case, 
in doses of three minims, it produced severe strangury. 

According to Simon, when applied to the muscles, it destroys the 
surface like a caustic. Miiller and Reiter, in their experiments, found 
that it speedily rendered the muscular fibres of a dirty whitish ap- 
pearance, and readily lacerable. When applied to the fresh blood 
of the hog, it converted the colour in an instant to an ashy gray ; 
after which it became black and quickly coagulated. Mixed, either 
pure, or diluted, with blood, it thickens it, the mixture assumes 
a brown red colour, and it is found studded with small white 
points, which are nothing more than coagulated albumen. On 
exposing the coagulum to the air, it assumes a yellowish red 
colour. Reich, on the other hand, who appears to have made 
many experiments with creosote, both in internal and external dis- 
eases, affirms, that he has never observed any caustic effect from it ; 
from which assertion, as Riecke has remarked, 2 the only inference 
to be deduced is, that he must always have applied it largely 
diluted. Fremanger likewise asserts, that when pure creosote is 
applied to the epidermis, it does not destroy it; but merely occa- 
sions more or less redness of the skin. When applied to a suppu- 
rating surface, it caused, instantaneously, the formation of a white 
pellicle, owing to its coagulating the albumen contained in the 
secretion from the wound. Adventitious tissues, with which it is 
brought in contact, are destroyed by it. When placed between the 
lips of a wound it prevents healing by the first intention, by coagu- 

1 Medico-Chirurg. Transact, vol. xix. Lond. 1835. 

2 Op. cit. S. 154. 



CREOSOTON. 137 

lating the albumen, and, consequently, it may be employed in all 
cases where it is desirable to prevent the growing together of parts. 
Fremanger is, indeed, disposed to refer all its efficacy to the action, 
which it exerts on albumen. 

Its long continued use often occasions an inflammatory condition 
which, as Dr. J. L. Da Luz 1 observes, has nothing in common with 
the disease, for the cure of which it may have been prescribed. 
In a case of porrigo favosa treated by it recently by the author, 
febrile irritation supervened, and the head was covered by an arti- 
ficial eruption, which induced, however, a new action in the inter- 
mediate system of the scalp, and after its subsidence, the porrigo 
was cured. 

Dr. Cormack, of Edinburgh, has likewise instituted various ex- 
periments on the lower animals to test the physiological effects of 
creosote. 2 In three experiments, about twenty-five drops of pure 
creosote were injected into the venous system of dogs. All the 
animals died. In every case of poisoning by it, which he has ob- 
served, Dr. Cormack found the following to be the symptoms: — Its 
first deleterious action was a powerful one of sedation on the heart ; 
the vital energies of that organ seeming to be instantaneously para- 
lysed. In some instances, hurried and sonorous respiration went 
on for more than a minute after the heart had ceased to beat. In 
general, one or two convulsions, resembling the tetanic, preceded 
death ; and, almost invariably before expiring, the animal uttered 
one or more shrill cries. In every instance, the atony of the heart 
immediately after death was very striking. 

From other experiments it appears, that when creosote is injected 
into the arteries the deleterious effects are of a much milder cha- 
racter, and if the dose is not large, the animal may experience but 
little inconvenience ; a circumstance, which proves the importance 
of a thorough admixture with the blood before the poisonous article 
reaches the heart ; such admixture not taking place, to the neces- 
sary extent, when the poison is injected into the veins, but being 
readily effected when injected into the arteries, and consequently 
distributed through the capillary or intermediate system. 

When taken for any length of time, the urine acquires a blackish 
hue, and in some cases it can be recognised in the urine. 3 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Creosote has been administered in various diseases, and the fol- 
lowing may be esteemed a summary of the therapeutical experi- 
ments made with it. 

1. Hemorrhage. The discovery of creosote happened at a time, 
when the Aqua binelli enjoyed more confidence as a styptic than it 

1 Jornal da Soeiedade das Sciencas Medicas de Lisboa. torn. v. Lisboa, 
1S37 ; reviewed in Zeitschrift fur die gesammte Medicin. Oct. 1838, S. 224. 

2 Op. cit. p. 86< 

* Dr. Macleod, in Medical Gazette, xvi. 599, and xvii. 653. 



138 dunglison's new remedies. 

does now ; and the fancied probability, that the nostrum was in- 
debted to the creosote for its properties, gave rise to many experi- 
ments with the latter in cases of hemorrhage. One of the first, who 
instituted experiments with it on rabbits, was G. Simon. Not being 
able to obtain any striking results from the aqua binelli, he tried 
the creosote, pure, as well as in the form of creosote water, and of 
an emulsion prepared with gum arabic ; and from the results of 
these he was led to affirm, that although creosote occasioned the 
coagulation of the albumen of the blood, it acted no better as a 
styptic than cold water. With the aqua binelli he was not able to 
coagulate albumen. The rapid separation of the albumen in the 
form of a reddish gray coagulum under the influence of the creo- 
sote, he found to be of no advantage, as the mass remained soft and 
pulpy; and the wound in the vessel could not close, but was im- 
mediately opened by the stream of blood. Neither did he esteem it 
adapted for arresting trifling hemorrhages; for, when very much 
diluted, it is still too exciting to the injured parts, and markedly 
delays their union. This, indeed, might, he thinks, be expected 
from the fact, that pure creosote, when placed on the skin for ten 
or twenty minutes, induces superficial inflammation. 

The experiments of other physicians have been decidedly more 
favourable. Miiller and Reiter, 1 for example, in theirs, found that 
creosote was far more efficacious than the aqua binelli, for, when 
the latter was prescribed, it was always necessary to have recourse 
to other agents, before the hemorrhage was arrested. In their ex- 
periments on dogs, they found the hemorrhage from a divided 
crural vein quickly cease, when a compress of cotton, wetted with 
creosote, was placed on the vessel, with a moderate degree of pres- 
sure. Three days afterwards, the crural artery was exposed on 
the same dog, and divided : but it was afterwards necessary to tie 
it, as the creosote, in consequence of the excessive hemorrhage, 
could not be brought into immediate contact with the vessel, but 
merely acted on the superficial layer of blood, and therefore did not 
arrest the hemorrhage. 

The crural artery of a young and tolerably strong dog was cut a 
short distance above its division, compression being at the same 
time exerted upon the trunk. The artery did not bleed. Nine 
minutes afterwards, a compress of cotton soaked in creosote was 
applied immediately to the divided extremity of the artery, with 
some degree of pressure. When the compress was removed, the 
bleeding was entirely arrested, and the wounded surface was dry, 
and had an ashy gray hue. In an old dog, hemorrhage from a divided 
crural artery was arrested by the same means, but not so speedily. 
When the artery was examined, it was found to be wholly closed, 
having a navel-like depression at the extremity, which disappeared 
when the vessel was pressed upon, and ultimately became conical. 

1 Schmidt's Jahrbuch, cited in Encyclographie dcs Sciences Medicales, 
Mars, 1837. 



CREOSOTON. 139 

Within the vessel was a conical coagulum, which could be readily- 
detached ; and for the space of a line, the artery appeared inflamed 
through its coats. 

In arteries that had been divided for a longer time, the union 
was likewise complete ; but there was this difference, that the in- 
flammation at the end of the vessel had disappeared, and a pointed 
fibrous caruncle was observed in the vessel, which was doubtless 
the fibrinous portion of the previous coagulum. 

From their experiments, Muller and Reiter were led to confirm 
the haemostatic properties of creosote, both when the hemorrhage 
occurs from veins and from arteries. The arteries divided were of 
considerable size, larger than the radial artery of an adult male. 
They consider pressure indispensable to occasion the creosote to act 
immediately on the artery; and the arrest of the hemorrhage, they 
ascribe, — not alone to the coagulation of the blood, but to the con- 
traction of the arteries. In parenchymatous hemorrhage, the aqua 
creosoti was generally sufficient ; as well as in tolerably extensive 
wounds of the surface. 

Horing, also, obtained satisfactory results from his experiments 
on animals. He exposed, on an old cat, the crural artery and vein 
of the right side; made a small incision into the latter, and pressed 
upon it to stop the copious flow which ensued : he then applied 
over the wound, for two minutes, a small compress of lint, wetted 
with a solution of creosote — two drops to one hundred of water — and 
the bleeding ceased. The artery was now opened, and a similar 
compress placed upon it with the same result. Two days after- 
wards, a second experiment was made of the same kind, except 
that, owing to the struggles of the animal, a larger opening was 
made into the crural artery. In this case, it was necessary to apply 
the compress for four minutes before the hemorrhage ceased. In 
another cat, a large transverse incision was made on the inner sur- 
face of the right thigh, above the middle, by which muscles, arte- 
ries, veins, and nerves were divided. Two large compresses of 
lint, wetted with a solution of creosote, were then pressed on the 
parts for five minutes, and the bleeding entirely ceased. The like 
result was obtained in the case of an old horse, whose jugular vein 
was opened. But the creosote solution did not succeed in wholly 
arresting the hemorrhage in the same horse, when an opening was 
made into the crural vein and artery. 

To these experiments on animals may be added some that were 
instituted on the human subject, and which testify, more or less, to 
the efficacy of creosote as a haemostatic. Hahn applied it in some 
insignificant cases, but saw no better effect from it than from cold 
water. Most found it speedily arrest slight hemorrhages from small 
vessels. Horing applied it successfully in a case of epistaxis, which 
had obstinately resisted other agents,— two plugs of lint, dipped in a 
solution of creosote being inserted in the nostrils, after which the 
hemorrhage soon ceased. Fichtdauer employed it with equally 
advantageous results in violent bleeding from leech bites, after 



140 dunglison's new remedies. 

several haemostatics had been used in vain ; and Heyfelder extols 
it for arresting hemorrhage from'large wounded surfaces. 

Berthelot differs with Fremanger and Simon, who affirm that union 
by the first intention is prevented by it. The results of his obser- 
vation were entirely opposite. Miguet applied it successfully as a 
haemostatic in fresh wounds on man and animals. Both pure creo- 
sote and a solution of it were, however, unsuccessfully used by 
Bardili in hemorrhage from the arteria tibialis postica, which he 
ascribed to the blood having lost its albumen, owing to the exces- 
sive discharge. Reich and Hauff found injections with creosote 
water very useful in haemorrhagia uteri. Schneider had a case of 
hemorrhage that had continued for seven hours in a man eighty 
years old, and which proceeded from the gums of the upper jaw ; 
the blood oozing as from the pores of a sponge. He directed the 
man to take as much aqua creosoti into his mouth as he was able; 
and after three repetitions the hemorrhage ceased, and did not 
recur. 

Kohler 1 endeavoured to test the haemostatic operation upon him- 
self. He made an incision in his forearm an inch long, and three 
or four lines deep, to which he applied creosote water. A lanci- 
nating pain was felt in the wound, but no other sensible effect. A 
drop of pure creosote was now let fall between the lips of the 
wound : this was followed by a sensation of burning and drawing; 
for a moment, coagulated flakes of a whitish gray colour covered 
the wound, and there was a temporary cessation to the flow : it 
soon, however, recurred. After a time the hemorrhage ceased ; but 
not sooner — Kohler thinks — than if cold water had been applied. 
The feeling of burning and drawing continued, however, for some 
time ; the edges of the wound were somewhat swollen, and oede- 
matous, and, in about four hours, were covered with a yellowish 
brown lymph; but there seemed to be no delay in the cicatrisation. 

J. L. da Luz 2 found it an excellent styptic in capillary hemor- 
rhage ; but in hemorrhage from great vessels it does not prevent a 
recurrence of the bleeding. 

In haemoptysis, too, the internal use of creosote has been found 
beneficial. Santini 3 prescribed it in a desperate case with complete 
success, and with Schmalz it was equally effective ; on the other 
hand, it was of little avail in Guitti's hands. 

2. Burns. — Most used creosote with decided relief in burns of 
the second and third degree, applied by means of rags wetted with 
creosote water. Berthelot also cured two cases quickly with it; 
the slightly burnt places becoming desiccated ; the more severe 
healing by the formation of a crust. Guitti applied both creosote 
water and creosote ointment with advantage in burns which had 
proceeded to profuse suppuration ; hence, it has been advised, — 

1 Neue wissenschaftlich. Annalen, u. s. w. B. i. H. 3. S. 285. Berlin, 1835. 

2 Op. cit. 

3 Gazetta Therapeutica di Verona, Mars, 1834; and Amer. Journal of the 
Med. Sciences, Feb. 1836, p. 502. 



CRE0S0T0N". 141 

3. In -profuse suppuration, on the authority of Levrat and Ber- 
thelot, but according to J. L. da Luz, 1 it has no marked influence 
on the secretion of pus, and is therefore useless in suppurating ab- 
scesses. In otorrhoea it. has been especially beneficial. 

4. Lesions of the integuments. — According to Reichenbach, 
creosote is of essential service in the intertrigo of children, as well 
as in the excoriation induced by lying. In the latter case, Guitti 
used it with success. Hahn also frequently employed it. In cases 
where ulceration had not taken place, he washed the parts several 
times a day with creosote water, and was of opinion that he had 
prevented, in some cases, the occurrence of ulceration. Where 
ulceration had already taken place, he covered the parts with linen 
rags folded two or three times, which he soaked in creosote water, 
and fixed them on by means of adhesive straps. The superficial 
ulcers soon healed ; and the deeper were transformed into hollow 
surfaces, secreting a homogeneous serous fluid, but no pus. 

Horing employed creosote water with advantage in sore nipples ; 
and in sprains and contusions, the creosote ointment has been re- 
commended by Dr. Fife. 2 

5. In chilblains, whether ulcerated or not, Hahn 3 used creosote 
washes successfully ; — the affection yielding in a few days : and 
Dr. Herndon 4 regards the creosote ointment as the best remedy in 
that affection with which he is acquainted. 

6. Ulcers. — Fissures of the skin and superficial ulcers, according 
to Hahn, were changed, under the application of the creosote water, 
into a blackish brown scab, which adhered for a long time, and 
when it fell off, left the parts healed ; or by occasioning too much 
shrinking of the parts, gave rise to fresh inflammation and suppu- 
ration. Deeper ulcers were affected in the same manner as those 
caused by long lying. 

The efficacy of this agent \a atonic and varicose ulcers, espe- 
cially of the leg, has been attested by Levrat, Berthelot, Rossi, 
Hechenberger, and others ; but Guitti, Heyfelder, and Schmalz 
were less satisfied with it. Very recently, a case of indolent ulcer, 
between the knee and ankle, accompanied with a good deal of 
inflammation, was cured, in five weeks, by the application of a 
solution of creosote (ten drops to the ounce of water), with me- 
thodical compression to the limb, by means of a bandage. 5 Meister 
found the application of creosote water, in cases of carious, scrofu- 
lous, syphilitic, fistulous, and sanious ulcers, to be striking, and 
almost uniformly useful. Heyfelder, likewise, found it extraordi- 
narily useful in scrofulous ulcers, and Dr. Cormack 6 states, that 
he had recently an opportunity of seeing a case of this kind 
treated by Dr. Shortt, in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 

1 Op. cit. 

2 Lond. Med. Gazette, April 7, 1838, p. 66. 

3 Gazette M£dicale de Paris, Dec. 1834. 

4 American Med. Intelligencer, for March 15, 1838, p. 425. 

6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, July 3, 1839, p. 332. 
6 Op. cit. p. 106. 



142 dunglison's new remedies. 

where an extensive scrofulous ulcer of the hip, after resisting 
a variety of treatment, at last yielded to creosote, and was ulti- 
mately completely cicatrised. On the other hand, Otto tried both 
the pure creosote and the watery solution in ulcers of various 
kinds, especially in the scrofulous ; the ulcers very generally put 
on, in the course of twenty-four hours, a cleaner appearance; still 
they did not cicatrise, on which account Otto prefers, in old ulcera- 
tions at least, the use of a solution of chloride of lime; for notwith- 
standing creosote diminished and improved the character of the 
suppuration from scrofulous ulcers, and rendered them cleaner, it 
did not ameliorate the genera] condition ; after the diminution of 
the suppuration, local pains, loss of sleep, and slight febrile move- 
ments generally supervening. On these accounts, Otto does not 
think creosote applicable to scrofulous ulcers in general. 

In scrofulous caries, many observers depose to the good effects of 
creosote. Among these may be mentioned Hahn, Coster, Ritgen, 
Fremanger, and HaufF. In fistulous ulcers— also of syphilitic 
origin — several physicians have employed it beneficially. 

Dr. Fife, 1 of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, found it useful not merely 
in obstinate but in malignant ulcers. In no case of ulceration, he 
affirms, in which he tried it, did it disappoint his expectations. In 
a sloughing carbuncle, the alcoholic solution, (thirty drops to the 
ounce,) mixed with carrot poultices, was applied with advantage 
by Dr. Herndon, 2 of Culpeper C. H., Virginia. 

In scurvy and in scorbutic ulcers, M. Coen 3 found its use followed 
by excellent results, and he refers to cases in which it has been ad- 
ministered internally with very great advantage. 

J. L. da Luz 4 considers it an excellent cleansing remedy in atonic 
ulcers, but its prolonged use, he thinks, retarded cicatrisation. In 
hospital gangrene, he esteems it the best antiseptic, and the most 
powerful means for checking its terrific progress. 

In gangrenous or sloughing ulcers, Hahn used it. Several times 
a day be penciled the slough with pure creosote, and, in the inter- 
vals, fomented it with creosote water. According to Reichenbach, 
two offensive affections of the labia pudendi — the consequences of 
infiltration of blood — were cured by it ; and Reich and Sir Francis 
Smith 5 treated with success cases of cancrum oris, and the former, 
one of scorbutic ulceration of the gums. 

In herpetic ulcers, Horing and Berthelot observed favourable 
effects from the creosote water ; and it has been found especially 
useful in carcinomatous and syphilitic ulcers, in which it has been 
often employed. 

In cancer of the uterus, Wolff injected creosote water, in two 
cases, into the vagina. In one, the pain was so great, that, on the 

1 London Medical Gazette, April 7, 1838, p. 65. 

2 Amer. Med. Intelligencer, March 15, 1838, p. 425. 

3 Giomale per servire &c. di Venezia, 1836. 

4 Jornal da Sociedade das Sciencas Medicas de Lisboa, T. v. Lisboa, 
1837; noticed in Zeitschrift fur die gesammte Medicin. Oct. 1838, S. 224. 

5 Dublin Journal of Med. Science, for May, 1837. 



CREOSOTON. 143 

ninth day, after six pints of creosote water had been used, it was 
obliged to be discontinued. In the other case, the treatment was 
continued twenty-six days, and sixteen pints were used : in it, also, 
the pain was sensibly aggravated. The secretion was not improved 
in either case ; nor was metrorrhagia prevented by it ; for one of 
the patients died immediately after an attack of this kind : the other 
lingered a long time. 

Heyfelder found injections of creosote water, in conjunction 
with the extractum calendulse, of no use in cancer uteri. On the 
other hand, in a case of superficial ulceration of the os uteri with 
copious discharge of a puriform mucus, which had been treated 
unsuccessfully by other agents, for several months, Hahn found an 
injection of creosote water effectual in fourteen days. Tealier 1 has 
likewise given a case of superficial ulcerations around the os uteri, 
to which nitrate of silver had been applied at least twenty times 
without inducing a cure. By touching the ulcers with lint fixed 
upon the end of a probe, and dipped in a mixture of one part of 
creosote and three parts of water, excessive pain was induced, but 
this gradually passed away, and in six days the signs of ulceration 
had disappeared. It is more than doubtful, however, whether 
either of the two last cases was carcinomatous. 

In a case of cancer of the breast, a solution of creosote was ap- 
plied by the same gentleman. This excited, instantaneously, vio- 
lent pain, but after a time the pain ceased, and relief was obtained. 

Rossi saw a cancerous ulcer of the face healed by creosote oint- 
ment, but it soon broke out again. The same gentleman cured a 
fungous tumor on the alveolar margin of the right os maxillare — 
which had occasioned the loss of all the teeth of that side except 
one, and which even the actual cautery had not prevented from 
returning — by a collutory of six drops of creosote in six ounces of 
water. 

Heyfelder saw creosote used without effect in a case of cancer of 
the skin, and Cormack 2 in a case of lupus of the nose. On the 
other hand, Guitti cured an ulcer, in appearance cancerous, by the 
application of pure creosote, for which, at a later period, the solu- 
tion was substituted, and Marchal ha* published a case of cancer of 
the lip in which he believes he accomplished a cure by means of 
creosote. 3 

Garbiglietti cured a fungous ulcer with caries of the fibula by 
creosote, but it is questionable whether the ulcer was carcinoma- 
tous ; and Meisinger saw a cancer of the face improved by the use 
of creosote ointment. 

It has been before remarked, that Meisinger used creosote with 
advantage in syphilitic ulcers. Hahn also applied creosote water 

1 Revue Medicale, Fevrier, 1834. For similar cases, see Dr. Friese, in 
Berlin, medk-in. Zeitung, Nro. 13, 1837. 

2 Op. cit. p. 115. 

* Gazette Medicale de Paris, Fev. 1S35. 



144 dunglison's new remedies. 

in primary syphilitic sores ; the small, superficial ulcers healed soon, 
the larger and deeper remained stationary. In a phagedenic ulce- 
rated bubo, the spreading was arrested, but this was all. According 
to Heyfelder, creosote — probably the pure — excited, in a case of 
primary syphilitic ulcer, in a plethoric individual, violent inflam- 
mation, and so much sensibility, that it was obliged to be discon- 
tinued. Bert helot cured a chancre, which had resisted caustics 
and other cicatrising agencies, in a few days, by creosote water-. 
Rehfeld, also, treated secondary syphilitic ulcers successfully with 
it, giving, however, at the same time, the corrosive sublimate, in- 
wardly. Chronic venereal ulcers have in some cases yielded to it, 
after they had resisted every other kind of treatment. 1 Dr. Burkner, 
of Breslau, 2 reports a case, which, after having proved rebellious to 
every kind of general and local management that could be devised, 
at length yielded to the application of pure creosote, by means of a 
camel's hair brush. The character of the secreted pus immediately 
improved ; the wound began to heal by granulations from the base, 
and, at the end of four weeks, Dr. Burkner found his patient quite 
well. In condylomata it has been equally successful. By the appli- 
cation of creosote water, Hahn found them contract and disappear; 
but the more obstinate required to be penciled with pure creosote. 
Heyfelder, Reich, 3 Fricke, and Coen, 4 also found the creosote effica- 
cacious in these cases. The last gentleman but one had the most fre- 
quent opportunities for observation : by him the creosote, in a dilute 
state, was applied to the top of the condyloma by means of a pencil. 
In cases of small condylomata, touching them once or twice was 
sufficient for their removal ; in larger, it had to be more frequently 
repeated. In some obstinate cases, it required two or three weeks 
before the condylomata disappeared ; but when once they fell off, 
they did not return. 

7. Gonorrhoea and Fhwr albvs. — Most extols creosote water as 
a remedy in gleet. He applies it either in the way of injection or 
by small tents wetted with it and introduced into the urethra. In 
fluor albus, he strongly recommends both the internal and external 
use of it. Reich injected creosote water in a case of gonorrhoea, 
and in one of malignant fluor albus ; yet its agency in these cases 
was doubtful as copaiba was given at the same time. Hahn 5 also 
used injections of creosote water in the second state of gonorrhoea, 
and in gleet ; but he did not think that the discharge ceased sooner 
under its agency than under the ordinary means ; whilst, in some 
cases, the inflammation was even augmented. In two cases of 
benign fluor albus, after many other remedies had been employed 
in vain, Schmalz saw good effects from the use of a solution of 

1 Cormack, Op. citat. p. 107. See, also, Kunchel, in Bulletin Gener. de 
Therapeutique, p. 313. Paris, 1833. 
8 Casper's Wochenschrift, Sepr. 9, 1837, S. 583. 

3 Hufeland's Journal, Jan. 1834, and Revue Medicale, Mai, 1834. 

4 Giornale per servire a progressi della patologia, &c. di Venezia, An. 1836. 
6 Gazette Medicale de Paris, Dec. 1834. 



CREOSOTON. 145 

creosote ; but in a third case it afforded no relief. Dr. Elliotson 1 
gave it internally to a female labouring under gonorrhoea, at first, 
in the dose of two minims to an ounce of water, and afterwards in 
the dose of four, six, and even eight minims, but no good resulted 
from its use. 

We have administered it not unfrequently in leucorrhoea and 
other mucous discharges, and when persevered in, it has at times 
appeared to be of decided service. 2 

Recently Dr. Robert Dick, 3 of Glasgow, has called the attention 
of the profession to its use in the chronic stage of gonorrhoea, and 
in gleet. He thinks its beneficial effects are more obvious than 
those of copaiba. He administered it in doses of two drops with 
loaf sugar beaten in a syrup with water. 

8. Chronic cutaneous affections. — Reich treated a case of crusta 
lactea externally by creosote, and internally by calomel and the 
black sulphuret of mercury. The result was favourable. In the 
itch, it was recommended by its discoverer. Wolff, too, saw three 
cases of not very recent itch, cured in eight days by lotions of creo- 
sote water. Reich and Coen 4 likewise extol the water and the 
ointment in inveterate itch. J. L. Da Luz 5 also considers it as 
valuable as sulphur, but Otto did not find the water particularly 
efficacious. He gives strong testimony, however, in its favour, in 
herpetic eruptions ; in a very short time, it induced evident im- 
provement, and often removed the affection in from eight to four- 
teen days. When the cases were more chronic, a longer time was 
of course required for the cure. He never administered it, however, 
without attaining his object. His rule was, to bathe the affected 
parts twice a day with creosote water, and in particular cases he 
directed, in addition, general baths of warm water. The eruption 
generally disappeared very rapidly under this management, but it 
readily recurred unless general bathing was used at the same time. 
It again yielded, however, very readily to creosote water. Grand- 
jean, Reich, and Koehler, also employed the water successfully in 
herpes ; aud Guitti found both the water and the ointment most 
serviceable in herpetic affections when combined with appropriate 
internal treatment. Heyfelder recommends that alterative drinks, 
as the decoctum sarsaparillae, should be combined with them. 
Even in herpes exedens, the external application of oeosote was 
found effectual by Ritgen, Grandjean, and Rossi. W T olff 6 cured a 
case of ancient impetigo in about eight weeks, by a solution of 
creosote (3ss. to §v. of distilled water.) At first, the application 
caused so much heat and inflammation, that in eight days it was 

1 Lancet, for Dec. 1835, p. 435. 

2 See, also, Coen, in Giornale per servire, &c. di Venezia. 1836. 
8 ficlinb. Med. and Surg. Journ. Apl. 1838, p. 602. 

4 Op. cit. 

6 Jornalda Sociedade das Sciencas Medicas de Lisboa, torn. v. Lisboa, 
1837, noticed in Zeitschrift fur die scsammtc Medicin. Oct. 1838. S. 224. 
6 Medicin. Zeilung, u. s. w. No. 30. 1834. 

8— b dungl 10 



116 dunglison's new remedies. 

obliged to be discontinued, and afterwards it was alternated with 
fomentations of warm water from day to day until the cure was 
completed. Dr. Herndon of Culpeper C. H.," Va., derived much 
benefit from the ointment in psoriasis. 

In a case of acne rosacea of seven years' standing, accompanied 
with headach, nervousness, thirst in the morning and acid eruc- 
tations, for which the patient was put under treatment for a month 
without success, Dr. Elliotson 1 determined on trying creosote. 
The advantage was soon manifest, as in three days the eruption 
was evidently diminished. At first, she took two minims three 
times a day ; this was gradually augmented to twenty minims ; 
the farther increase of the dose being prevented by the supervention 
of giddiness and tremors. At the end of seven months, she was dis- 
charged ; the eruption being scarcely perceptible, and the dyspeptic 
symptoms entirely removed. In a chronic pustular disease, not 
curable by antiphlogistics, the same gentleman observed better 
effects than from any previous remedy. 2 Dr. Copland, it is affirmed, 
found a saturated solution in water answer well as a lotion in 
porrigo favosa. 3 We have often used in porrigo, both creosote water 
and creosote ointment (see the formulas at the end of the article) ; 
they have always appeared to us sufficiently strong, and when the 
quantity of creosote was increased, so much inflammatory irritation 
was induced that they had to be discontinued for a time. 

9. In a case of chronic inflammation of the free edge of the eye- 
lids, with several ulcerated spots, a cure was effected by Coster, by 
the use, twice a day, of a dilute solution of creosote, (gtt. xij ad 
aquae destillat. gij) applied by means of a camel's hair pencil. The 
cure was effected in ten days. In different kinds of ophthalmia, 
M. Sanson used the creosote, but never observed the disease to be 
modified by the treatment. 4 

10. In a case of prolapsus vagina, Schlesier tried the external 
use of a solution of creosote. After astringent injections, and the 
application of the decoctum ratanhiae by means of a sponge had 
been used in vain, he injected diluted creosote for seven weeks, 
omitting it only at the time of menstruation. It excited a burning 
sensation of a few minutes' duration. At the expiration of the time 
mentioned, the prolapsus had strikingly diminished, and the great 
sensibility of the prolapsed parts had disappeared. Owing, however, 
to the supervention of irritation in the urinary bladder, it had to be 
discontinued when there was every prospect of ultimate success. 

11. Dr. Buttmann, 5 of Vietz, circle of Landsberg, has given the case 

1 Lancet, July 4, 1834, p. 459. 

2 Medico-Chirurg. Transact, xix. 237. Lond. 1835. 

3 Gully's Edition of Magendie's Formulary, p. 204. Lond. 1835. See, 
also, Sir F. Smith, in Dublin Med. Journ. for May, 1837, and J. L. Da Luz, 
Op. cit. 

4 Compt rendu des Seances de la Societe de Medecine, Seance du 7 
Mars, 1834. 

' Beitragen zum Sanitats-Berichte des Frankfurter Regierungs-Bezirks: 
and Medicinische Zeitung, Dec. 7, 1836, S. 252. 



CREOSOTON. 147 

of an old lady, upwards of seventy years of age, who had laboured 
for several years under oedema of both legs to such an extent as to 
interfere materially with progression. She experienced lancinating 
pains in both feet, and irregular paroxysms of fever. Many external 
and internal remedies had been used in vain, when Dr. Butt man n, 
by way of experiment, applied cataplasms of creosote, soon after 
which the swelling, very much to his astonishment, gradually dis- 
appeared, and with it the febrile attacks. 

12. In toothach from carious teeth, creosote has often been 
used, being applied to the hollow of the tooth by means of a 
pencil, or of cotton imbued with it. The testimony in its fa- 
vour has been very great, — Coster, Reich, Hahn, Kneisel, Hey- 
felder, Fichtbauer, Hauff, Otto, Guitti. Kobler, Meisinger, 1 and 
numerous others. Some have advised a collutory of creosote, but 
this is more disagreeable, whilst, it is less efficacious than creosote 
applied immediately to the carious tooth. It excites instantaneously 
acute pain and a considerable secretion of saliva. The pain is 
often relieved by it, but it generally recurs ; and perhaps the ad- 
vantage derived from this agent is not greater than from the 
stronger essential oils. As a palliative it is very useful. In rheu- 
matic toothach, the insertion of a little cotton, imbued with creo- 
sote, in the ear of the same side, has been found serviceable. 2 

13. In deafness, apparently owing to a deficient secretion from 
the meibomian follicles, advantage has been found from the use of 
the creosote, after the ear had been syringed. Perhaps as good a 
form as any is that recommended by Mr. Curtis, 3 which consists of 
one dram of creosote to four drams of lard. A little of this oil is 
inserted into the meatus night and morning, with a camel's hair 
pencil. He considers the preparation contra-indicated in cases of 
otorrhcea, where there is any pain or inflammation. 

So far we have spoken mainly of the external use of creosote. 
Reference has been made to its internal administration in cases of 
haemoptysis and fluor alb-ns only. In the following diseases, it has 
been chiefly given internally: — 

14. Phthisis. — Reichenbach excited considerable expectations 
from the use of creosote in phthisis, — pulmonary, laryngeal, and 
bronchial ; and as in so intractable a disease every suggestion is 
immediately and eagerly embraced, numerous trials were instituted 
with it, the results of which were by no means accordant. Reich 4 
affirmed, that he gave it both in laryngeal and tubercular phthisis 
with distinguished success. In a case in which the disease ap- 
peared to be considerably advanced, the offensive expectoration was 
changed into one of a tasteless, mucous character, although the fever 

1 Mcdicin. Jahrbuch. des k. k. Osterrcich. Staates, B. xv. S. 553. Wien, 
1834. 

2 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 167. 

8 London Lancet, vol. i. p. 328, 1838-9 ; and Mr. Wright, ibid. p. 5S0. 
4 Hufeland's Journal, Jan. 1834; and Revue Medicale, Mai, 1834. 



148 dunglison's new remedies. 

and the night sweats experienced no modification. Subsequently, 
haemoptysis supervened, with violent fever; on which account the 
dose of creosote was diminished. Under the use of the remedy the 
condition of the patient appeared to improve. — except the cough, 
which was not mitigated ; an anodyne was consequently substi- 
tuted for the creosote; under which, his patient — a female — im- 
proved so much, that Reich was led to believe she might be saved, 
although the cough still remained severe and frequent. In another 
case, the creosote allayed the hectic fever, and transformed the 
purulent expectoration into one of a mucous character: yet, al- 
though the general condition of the patient seemed to be improved, 
the cough and uneasiness of the chest continued almost unchanged. 
Grandjean also had a case of phthisis in the third stage, the expec- 
toration of which was soon diminished ; the pain in the side re- 
moved ; the appetite, sleep, and strength restored, under the admi- 
nistration of creosote; but the result of the case is not known. 
Levrat asserts, that he found creosote highly useful in chronic 
bronchitis, and in some kinds of phthisis. Hechenberger saw good 
effects from the inhalation of creosote in the form of vapour in a 
case of ulcerated lungs ; five, ten, or fifteen drops of creosote, ac- 
cording to the degree of tolerance of the lungs, being dropped into 
hot water in an appropriate vessel, and the vapour received through 
the tube of an inverted funnel. Hechenberger was of opinion, that 
this mode of exhibiting creosote prevented the disagreeable effects 
apt to be induced by its internal use ; and farther experiments have 
confirmed his view. In the chronic mucous affections of the lungs 
of old people it appears to have been especially useful. On the 
other hand, Elliotson 1 derived no favourable results from his trials 
with creosote in phthisis; even inhalation of the vapour was gene- 
rally unattended with any advantage ; yet, he is of opinion that it 
may be useful where there are only one or two ulcers in the lungs, 
and there is no tendency to their farther production, as well as 
where there is much secretion from the bronchial mucous mem- 
brane. Either no advantage, or an injurious influence was derived 
from its use in phthisis, by Rehfeld, Haupt, Treumann, Giinther, 
Schmalz, Meisinjjer, Otto, Kohler, 2 and others. 

The published experiments by Wolff, in the Charite at Berlin, 
cannot be esteemed more favourable. It was tried in eleven cases 
of phthisis tuberculosa, of which one was in the first, eight were 
in the second, and two in the third stage. In two cases, there was 
scarcely any advantage after the remedy had been given for four- 
teen days. In one case, it had to be discontinued on the eleventh 
day, owing to the supervention of obstinate vomiting. The case 
ultimately terminated unfavourably, in six cases, the symptoms 
appeared to be aggravated, and the patients died soon afterwards. 
In two cases, in which the disease was in its second stage, death 

1 Medico-Chirurg. Transact, xix. 221; Lond. 1835. 
a Hecker's neuen wissecscbaft. Annal. B. i. H. 3. 



CREOSOTON. 149 

supervened unexpectedly early, on the fourth and seventh day of 
the treatment, — in one case by suffocation ; in the other, by sudden 
hydrothorax. The pulse, according to Wolff, was generally in- 
creased under its use ; the hectic augmented ; the urinary secretion 
diminished ; the expectoration neither changed in quantity nor 
quality; the cough not mitigated; or the dyspnoea diminished: 
on the other hand, they were, in four cases, manifestly increased : 
once epistaxis occurred, and twice hsemoptysis. 

From the results of all his trials, Wolff is disposed to think, that 
creosote should be banished from our list of agents employed in 
phthisis ; both as respects the radical and the palliative treatment ;* 
but although they may not sanction us in placing much value on 
creosote in the treatment of phthisis, it may be improper to ostra- 
cise it altogether, 8 as according to the testimony of others it would 
seem to have rendered essential service. Rampold and Spath 
assert, that they have derived advantage from it, in confirmed 
phthisis where no inflammatory complication was present ; — the 
expectoration and colliquative sweats being diminished under its 
use. 

M. Petrequin 3 from his trials with it considered its effects to be 
more beneficial — as might be presumed — in incipient than in con- 
firmed phthisis ; but in no case did he observe any thing approach- 
ing the radical cures described by some. He indeed gives the pre- 
ference to the tar water, (see Aqua Picea.) 

15. In bronchorrhoea or that state of the bronchial mucous mem- 
brane, which consists in a profuse secretion without inflammation, 
the inhalation of creosote has been found of essential service. 4 

16. Rheumatism and Gout. — The success, obtained by Reich 5 
from a tincture of soot in gouty and rheumatic affections, and the 
probability that the efficacy might depend chiefly on the creosote it 
contained, induced him to prescribe this remedy internally in those 
diseases. He made the first trial upon himself. After exposure to 
cold he was attacked with lancinating pain in the whole of the 
right leg, for the removal of which the ordinary remedies were em- 
ployed in vain ; it yielded to the use of creosote given for nine 
days. He relates another case of rheumatism and one of atonic 
gout, in which creosote was equally successful. Marcus, of Ha- 
dersleben, recommends it in cases of rheumatism, unaccompanied 
by excitement of the vascular system, or tendency to congestion 
and febrile reaction. It is proper, however, to observe, that he 
combined other agents with it, so that his experiments are by no 
means decisive as to the efficacy of the creosote. Of the three patients, 
to whose cases he refers, one only was cured ; the other experi- 

1 See, aleo, Kuhler, in Rust's Magazin, B. xlvi. and Amer. Journ. of ihe 
Med. Sciences. Feb 1837, p. 497. 

2 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 170. 

3 Gazette Medicale de Paris, Nov. 1836. 

* Elliotson, in Med. Chirurg. Transact, xix. 221. Lond. 1835. 
5 Hufeland's Journal, Jan. 1S34, and Revue Med. Mai, 1834. 



150 dungltson's new remedies. 

enced improvement. Karsten found none of the advantages, de- 
scribed by Reich in rheumatic and gouty cases, from its use. In 
a case of rheumatic headach, Tschepke found surprising advan- 
tage from frictions with creosote, and plugging the ear with cotton 
dipped into it. The creosote immediately excited acute pain, and 
some rubefaction of the skin ; and as the burning ceased, the pain 
ceased along with it. 

In Most's experience, lotions of creosote water greatly alleviated 
the pain of the joints in rheumatism and atonic gout. 

17. In vomiting not arising from inflammation or other organic 
disease of the stomach, Elliotson 1 found creosote very efficacious. 
Even in the Asiatic cholera and in sea sickness, it appeared to allay 
the vomiting. In various affections of the stomach, as in cardi- 
algia and gastrodynia, it may be found useful. 2 In cases of vomit- 
ing from nervous excitability it has been affirmed to excel all known 
medicines. 3 After Ur. Elliotson had recommended it, Dr. Shortt 
tried it in about a dozen cases, and found it equally successful, as 
did also Prof. A. T. Thomson of London, Dr. Bodington of Er- 
dington in Warwickshire, and many others. Dr. John Walker of 
Glasgow, in a case published by him 4 does not appear however to 
have been equally fortunate, and with Dr. Paris it entirely failed. 5 
Our own success has been by no means as great as that of Dr. 
Elliotson. In many cases, indeed, it has developed irritability of 
the stomach, where it did not previously exist. 

Dr. Elliotson admits that in large doses it seems to excite vomit- 
ing, and that when given in such quantities with a view to check 
it, no good, but evil, results from giving a large dose. As a pre- 
ventive of sea sickness it has been highly extolled by Dr. Elliotson, 
and by Mr. A. B. Maddock. 6 

It has been administered also as an excitant to relieve gastrodynia 
and flatulence, and where hydrocyanic acid and creosote have been 
separately tried unsuccessfully, Dr. Elliotson recommends, that 
they should be combined. 

18. Several portions of tmnia having been observed to be dis- 
charged after the administration of creosote, Kraus was induced to 
prescribe it as a powerful anthelmintic. This he did in numerous 
cases, and with the best success; from five to eight drops being 
given to adults with oleum ricini ; or where the bowels were not 
freely opened with half a drop or a drop of croton oil. 

19. In diabetes meUitus, creosote was first given by Berndt, 7 
and with striking success. One or two cases of the same kind are 

1 Medico-Chirurjjical Transactions, vol. xix. and Lancet, Aug. 20, 1836. 

2 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 172. 

3 Cormack, Op. cit. p. 133. 

4 Lancet, Dec. 19, 1835, p. 447. See also Mr. Taylor, Ibid, Aug. 15, 1835, 
and Dr. Macleod, in Lond. Med. Gazette, xvi. 598, and xvii. 653. 

5 Pharmacologia, 8th edit, append. Lond. 1838. 

6 Amer. Journ. of the Med. Sciences, Feb. 1838, p. 496. 

7 Kleinert's Repertorium, Jan. 1835, and Lancet, July 18, 1835. 



CREOSOTON. 151 

related by Gadolin ; but Rehfeld used it without advantage. Di\ 
Elliotson agrees with Berndt in the opinion, that it is sometimes 
of use in diabetes, and may even be greatly instrumental in accom- 
plishing a cure. 1 

20. Dr. Elliotson 2 tried creosote in nervous diseases. In some 
cases of epilepsy, the paroxysms appeared to be rendered less fre- 
quent and more mild ; but in the generality of cases, they returned 
with fresh violence. In soma cases, the remedy had no influence 
on the disease ; in others it appeared to aggravate it. In neuralgia 
great advantage was at times derived from it, although, here, again, 
it was frequently of no service. Dr. Elliotson also observed good 
effects from it in hysteria, where there was no inflammatory com- 
plication ; in spasmodic erethism of the nervous system, and in 
palpitation ; and Dr. Herndon, 3 of Virginia, used it with much 
benefit as an inhalation in hysteric croup (thirty drops to the quart 
of hot water). 

In asthma, dependent upon morbid excitability of the bronchial 
mucous membrane, Dr. Elliotson 4 found its inhalation to be often 
useful. 

21. In two cases of chronic glanders, the same gentleman 5 ac- 
complished a cure in the course of a few weeks, by the sedulous 
use of an injection of a dilute solution of creosote (gtt. 1 ad aq. 
§j.) thrown up the affected nostril ; combining the treatment, in 
one of the cases, with the internal use of the remedy ; and a similar 
case of success is given in a recent number of a British medical 
periodical. 6 

MODE OP ADMINISTERING. 

The dose for internal use is one or two drops, given several times 
a day, in gum water. 7 In cases of tapeworm, the dose should be 
larger. Some give it in emulsion, but this form is objectionable 
on account of the disagreeable taste. It is best administered in pill. 
Externally, it is at times applied pure; at others diluted, — com- 
monly with water, with or without the addition of spirit of wine, 
or in the form of ointment. Carminati 8 affirms, that oil and mu- 
cilage, when combined with it, render it milder, but that vinegar 
increases its action. Dr. Cormack, 9 however, doubts the assertion 
in regard to vinegar. In three comparative experiments, which he 
made with a view of testing the justice of Carminati's conclusion, 

1 Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, xix. 132-135. Lond. 1835. 
* Op. cit. 

3 Amer. Med. Intelligencer, Mar. 15, 1838, p. 425. 

4 Op. cit. 

6 Lancet, for June 20, 1833. 

6 Ibid, Jan. 20, 1839, p. 145. 

7 It may be well to remark, that the fluidram contains one hundred and 
fifty drops of creosote. 

8 Op. citat. 

9 Op. citat. p. 88. 



152 dunglison's new remedies. 

there was no apparent difference in the activity of creosote when 
given with acetic acid or alone. He was led to believe, however, that 
the addition of albumen caused it to act more powerfully, which, if 
true, is singular. 

The inhalation of creosote vapour may be accomplished by dif- 
fusing a few drops of creosote through water, or a mucilaginous 
liquid, in an ordinary inhaling vessel, or in the mode described 
under the head of Chlorine. 1 

Pilulce Creosoti. 
Pills of Creosote. 

?(. Creosot. 3j. 

Succ. glycyrrhiz. 

Gum. galban. aa. Jss. 
•Pulv. lad. althaea?, 3y. 
Fiat massa in pilulas cxx. dividenda. 

Dose. — Six pills four times a day. In consumption. Reich. 

*. Creosoti, 

Succ. liquirit. aa. §i. 

Pulv. rad. althaeas, ^ij. 
Fiat mass, in pil. cxx. dividend. 

Dose. — Five pills morning and evening, in atonic gout. 

Reich. 
Haustus Creosoti. 
Creosote Draught. 

5<. Creosot. rr\,. iv. ad x. 

Misturae camphorae, 

Infus. gentian, compos, aa. f. gvj. 
M. fiat haustus. 

Brande. 2 

Mistura Creosoti. 

Mixture of Creosote. 

5<. Creosot. gtt. v. 

Mucilag. gum. arab. ^iij. 
Syrup, altheeae, 3j. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful every three hours in haemoptysis. 

Santini. 
Tinctura Creosoti pro Gingivis. 
Tincture of Creosote for the Gums. 

5<. Creosot. ^j. 

Spiritus vini rectificati, §ij. M. 

As much of this to be added to cold water as is necessary to give 
it a piquant taste, with which the teeth may be washed and the 
mouth rinsed. Used in cases of faetor of the mouth from carious 
teeth, and to limit the caries. Buchner. 

1 See page 107. 

2 Dictionary of the Materia Medica, p. 201. Lond. 1839. 



CRE0S0T0N. 153 

B*. Creosot. 

Alcohol, aa. £ss. M. 

To be applied to carious teeth. Radius. 

5<. Creosot. p. i. 

Alcohol, p. viij. M. 

This is the ordinary strength of the tincture. Used where frac- 
tions of a drop of pure creosote are prescribed. 

Lotio Creosoti. 
Lotion of Creosote. 

5<. Creosot. ^ss. 

Aqua; destillat. %v. M. 

Used as a lotion in impetigo sparsa and itch. Wolff. 

The author has occasionally found a lotion composed off. 3ss 
of creosote to Oj of water too irritating. 

5<. Creosot. gtt. xij. 

Aq. destillat. fij. M. 

To be applied by means of a hair pencil twice a day to inflamed 
eyelids. Coster. 

&. Creosot. gtt. iv. 

Aq. destillat. 3ij. M. 

In irritation of the gums. Fremanger. 

*. Creosot. £ss. 
Gum. arab. ^iss. 
Aquae camphor, gxss. M. 

Used every two hours in cases of aphthous ulceration of the 
mouth. Magendie. 

*. Creosot. gtt. x. 
Aceti, 3ij. 
Aquae footis, ^ij. M. 

Used in cases of phagedenic ulceration, and to chancres ; applied 
by means of a camel's hair pencil. Shortt. 1 

Unguentum Creosoti. 

Ointment of Creosote. 

B<. Cerati, 

Ol. amygdal. dulc. aa. ^j. 
Creosot. gtt. xxx. M. 

A dressing in scrofulous caries. Fremanger. 

The Unguentum Creosoti of the London Pharmacoposia is com- 
posed of half a fluidram of creosote to an ounce of lard. 2 



1 Cormack, Op. cit. p. 112. 

2 Brande, Op. cit. p. 202. 



154 dunglison's new remedies. 

Linimentum Creosoti. 

Liniment of Creosote. 

fy. Creosot. gtt. v. — xx. 
01. olivar. ^ss. M. 

To be rubbed two or three times a day on the diseased parts, in 
chronic herpes. Corneliani. 



CUBEB^E. 

Synonymes. Piper Cubeba, P. Cubebarum, P. Caudatum, Cubebs. 
French. Poivre a queue, Cubebe. 
German. Kubebenpfeffer, Schwaazpfeffer. 

Cubebs are the fruit of the piper cubeba, which grows in India, 
Java, Guinea, &c. Sex. System, Diandria Trigynia ; Nat. Ord. 
Piperacece. The corns of this plant have been long known in the 
shops ; and in the old Wirtemberg Pharmacopoeia, they figure as 
calefacient, inciting, discutient, antinervous, and carminative agents, 
which seem to have a specific action in vertigo ; hence they ob- 
tained the name "Schwindelkorner" or "grains for vertigo." They 
had however fallen into oblivion, until they were re-introduced in 
modern times into practice, especially by the English physicians 
and surgeons. 

The shell of the dried berry has a weak taste, but smells agree- 
ably ; the kernel has a bitter aromatic flavour which is biting at first, 
but afterwards cooling. The corns were analysed by Tromms- 
dorf and by Yauquelin ;* but the most recent analysis is by 
Monheim. 2 He found, in 100 parts, of lignin 64.0 ; of extractive 
matter 6., of Kubebin 6, of a matter like wax 3, of green volatile 
oil 2.5; of yellow volatile oil 1.0, of balsamic resin — which, accord- 
ing to Vauquelin, is very analogous to the balsam of copaiba — 1.5, 
and of chloride of sodium 15.5. [?] The woody matter reduced to 
ashes contained much carbonate and muriate of potassa and soda. 
The kubebin appeared to Monheim to be identical with the pipe- 
rine, but to be united with an acrid soft resin. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

In addition to the general excitant properties of the peppers, the 
action of cubebs is exhibited on the urinary and genital organs. 
Under their use, the secretion of urine is augmented, and it becomes 
of a darker colour, and assumes an aromatic odour. Cubebs have 
been advised, in modern times— first, in cases of gonorrhea, in 

1 Memoir, du Museum, vi. 225. 

2 Riecke. Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 176. 



CUBEB^E. 155 

which they have been esteemed a specific by many. Yet that 
which applies to the copaiba is equally applicable to the cubebs. 
Although the revulsive effect induced by both on the kidneys may 
mitigate the inflammatory condition of the lining membrane of the 
urethra, which constitutes gonorrhoea — in violent inflammatory 
cases, and in the early stages of ordinary cases, they may be inju- 
rious, and there are many cases on record in which bad conse- 
quences appear to have resulted from their improper administration. 
Still, there are many physicians who administer both them and 
the copaiba in every stage of the disease. Of 50 patients, treated 
by Mr. Broughton 1 by the cubebs, 10 were cured in from 2 to 7 
days; 17 in from 8 to 14; 18 in from 15 to 21 ; 1 on the 55th 
day ; and in 4 only was no success obtained. 

In the chronic stage of gonorrhoea, M. Ricord 2 prescribes the 
cubebs in combination with the peroxide of iron, and in addition 
the patient is directed to inject, four times a day, a solution com- 
posed of aq. destillat. §viij. argent, nitrat. gr. ij. 

It has been affirmed, that different evils have ensued from the use 
of cubebs; which ought to suggest care in their administration: for 
example, — ardor urinae, fever, inflammation of the urethra, blad- 
der and testicles, retention of urine, cutaneous eruptions, &c. 3 

In the blennorrhoea of females the cubebs are equally extolled 
by many practitioners, as well as in leucorrhcea. 4 Secondly , Spitta 
found them very efficacious in old and obstinate cases of coryza, 
when given in the form of lozenges : they are said, likewise, to have 
been administered with advantage in defective audition, caused 
by a catarrhal affection of the Eustachian tube. Thirdly. Rosen 
found the chewing of cubebs very serviceable in cases of aphonia. 
Fourthly. They have been prescribed successfully in cases of 
chronic rheumatism. Fifthly. Ptil 5 gave them with striking ad- 
vantage in intermittent fever. Sixthly. In India, they are re- 
garded to be aphrodisiac. 6 

According to Dr. Paris, it is important to keep the bowels open 
during their use, for when hardened faeces are allowed to accumu- 
late, the spice insinuates itself into the mass, and occasions exco- 
riations in the rectum. 7 



MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Cubebs are commonly given in the form of powder, and in doses 
of from 1 to 2 and even 4 drams, repeated once or oftener in the 

1 Medico-Chirnrgical Transactions, xii. 1. Lond. 1822. 

2 L;i Lancette Franchise, No. 33. Paris, 1838. 

8 Lond. Med. and Physical Journal, Mar. 1832, and Merat & De Lens, 
Diet. Univers. de Matiere Medicale, &c. Art. Piper Cubeba. 
4 Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journal, xviii. 319. 

6 Recueil de Med. Chirurg. et Pharm. Mililaire, xvi. 
• Merat & De Lens, Art. cit. 

7 Brande, Dictionary of Materia Medica, p. 205. Lond. 1839. 



156 dunglison's new remedies. 

day. Lozenges, boluses, and electuaries, are likewise prepared of 
them, and by some a tincture has been recommended. In conse- 
quence of the disorder at times induced by them in the digestive 
function, Velpeau proposed that they should be given in the form of 
glyster, to the amount of one or two drams of the powder, sus- 
pended in five or six ounces of an oily vehicle, and this method has 
its advantages. 1 To attain the same object, M. Dublanc, Junr., 
prepared an oleo-resinous extract, one-sixteenth part of the weight 
of which possessed equal virtues with one part of the cubebs; five 
grains, three times a day, acting like the ordinary quantity of the 
powdered cubebs. 2 

Electuarium Cubebarum. 

Electuary of Cubebs. 

5<. Piper cubeb. pulv. ^ss. 
Mellis despum. q. s. 
Fiat electuarium. 

Dose. — A tea-spoonful three or four times a day, in Catarrhus 
vesicas, C. urethra?, &c. Radius. 

b<. Balsam, copaib. 3ivss. 
Subige cum 

Vitello ovi unius, et • 

Adde 

Pulv. cubebar, ^ivss. 

Conserv. rosar. .gss. 
M. fiat electuarium. 

Dose. — A tea-spoonful three or four times a day. Vogt. 

9c. Balsam, copaib. 

Pulv. cubeb. aa. ^ij. 

Aluminis, 3j. 

Extract, opii, gr. v. M. 

Dose — A dram night and morning in the pulp of a prune. The 
quantity may be rapidly increased to two drams morning and 
evening. 

Trochisci Cubebarum. 

Lozenges of Cubebs. 



Admisce 



Pulv. cubeb. ^ij. 
Balsam, tolut. gr. vj. 



Syr. balsam, peruv. 
Succ. glycyrr. aa. ^j. 
Gum. arabic. q. s. ut fiat massa in tiochiscos pond. gr. x. dividenda. 

Used in coryza. S pitta. 

1 Archives Generates de Medecine, xiii. 47. 

8 Journ. de Chiraie Medicale, iii. 491, and Journ. de Pharmacie, xiv. 40. 



CUBEBS. 157 

Boll Cubebarum. 
Boluses of Cubebs. 

&. Balsam, copaib. 

Gum. arab. pulv. aa. 3'j. 

Aqua? flor. aurant. Qij. 
Teren 'o bene mixtis adde 

Cubebai. pulv. gij; 
Misce, et fiant boli No. vj. 

Dose — One, three times a day. Henschel. 

M. Labelonye 1 has recently proposed the following method for 
separating- all the principles of the cubebs from the ligneous matter. 

The cubebs, reduced to a coarse powder, are placed in an appa- 
ratus for displacement and exhausted by ether, which dissolves the 
wax, volatile oils and balsamic resin. The residue is submitted to 
the action of hydro-alcohol at 20° (.935), which dissolves the ex- 
tractive principle and chloride of sodium. The alcohol and ether 
are separated by distillation in part, and separately. Evaporation 
of the hydro-alcoholic solution is then carried on in a water bath 
until it possesses the consistence of a soft extract, to which the 
ethereal product is added ; the evaporation being continued for a 
short time, the ether is completely volatilised, and a strongly aro- 
matic extract is obtained, as consistent as honey. This it is im- 
proper to subject any longer to the action of heat, on account of the 
contained volatile oils; the presence of which in all cases interferes 
with complete desiccation. One part of this extract is conceived 
to be equal to five of the cubebs. 

This extract can be readily mixed with water by means of mu- 
cilage, and can be administered in potions, injections, &c. 

The best form of exhibition, according to M. Labelonye is in 
lozenges, or in an emulsive syrup. 

Trochisci Extracti Hydro-alcoholici cetherei Cubebarum. 

Lozenges of the ethereal hydro-alcoholic extract of Cubebs. 

9<. Ext. hydro-alcohol, aether, cubebar. §viij. 
Alcohol, Oij. 
Solve et adde 

Sacchar. alb. in pulv. ten. fej. 
01. raentha? pip. gtt. xviij. . 

Pour the mixture into flat vessels upon a stove, and allow the 
alcohol to evaporate at a moderate heat. When the mass is com- 
pletely desiccated, reduce it to fine powder, and add a sufficient 
quantity of mucilage of gum tragacanth to form lozenges — 18, 12, 
( .), or 6 grains each. Most persons, he says, can swallow with 
facility those weighing eighteen grains, and containing six grains 
of the extract ; ten of these are equivalent to half an ounce of the 
powder. 

1 Bulletin General de Therapcutique, and Amer. Journ. of Pharm. 2d 
series, vol. 2. p. 316. Philad. 1837. 



358 dunglison's new remedies. 

Syrupus Extracti Hydro-alcoholici cetherei Cubebarum . 

Syrup of the ethereal hydro-alcoholic extract of Cubebs. 

B<. Ext. hydro-alcohol, aether, cubebar. £iij. 
Suspende ope mucilaginis in 

Aq. menthse pip. ftj. 
Adde 

Sacchar. alb. ftij. M. 

of this syrup cc 
valent to ten of powdered cubebs 

Dose — A tea-spoonful. 

M. Labelonye, envelopes the extract also in sugar, as in the ordi- 
nary sugar-plumb. 



DELPHINJNA. 

Synonymes. Delphininum, Delphininium, Delphinia, Delphium, Delphia, 

Delphinine, Delphioe. 
German. — Delphinin. 

This alkaloid was discovered in 1819, by MM. Feneulle and 
Lassaigne,' and, almost at the same time, by Brandes, 2 in the seeds 
of the Delphinium Staphisagria, in which it is united with acetic 
acid. As a therapeutical agent, it has been chiefly recommended 
by Turnbull ; but he did not employ it in its pure state. 

METHOD OP PREPARING. 

The plan recommended by Magendie 3 is to boil a portion of the 
seeds of the delphinium, cleared of their coverings, and reduced to 
a fine paste, in a little distilled water; to pass the decoction through 
a linen cloth and filter. Pure magnesia is now added, and it is 
boiled for some minutes ; the filtration is repeated ; and the resi- 
dues washed carefully and digested in highly rectified alcohol. 
On evaporating the alcoholic tincture, the delphinine is obtained 
in the form of a white powder, having some crystallised points. 

This is esteemed the most simple mode ; but if a large quantity 
be required, the following plan is advised — on account of the time 
and patience necessary to decorticate the seeds. 

Submit the uncleaned seeds, when well bruised, to the action of 
weak sulphuric acid. Precipitate the liquor by ammonia, and re- 
dissolve in alcohol the delphinine, which is still slightly coloured. 

1 Annales de Chimie, torn. xi. xii. and Journal de Pharmacie, vi. 47 and 
366. 

2 Schweigger's Journal der Chimie, xxv. 369. 

3 Formulaire, &c. 



DELPHININA. 159 

To purify it, draw off the alcohol by distillation, dissolve the resi- 
duum in muriatic acid, and boil with magnesia. 

The plan recommended by Couerbe, and adopted by Turnbull, 1 
is to evaporate a saturated tincture of the seeds to the consistence 
of a thin extract, and then to treat it with water acidulated by sul- 
phuric acid. This solution, when filtered, is to be precipitated by 
ammonia. The precipitate — after being freed from its water — is to 
be taken up with alcohol, and again reduced to the consistence of 
an extract, which is likewise to be dissolved in acidulated water ; 
to this solution, filtered, a small quantity of nitric acid is to be 
added, as long as any precipitate is thrown down. The liquid, 
freed from this precipitate, is again to be subjected to precipitation, 
by ammonia, and the powder dried. This is the delphinine of 
commerce ; but like veratrine, it is a compound substance, and 
consists of resinous matter, staphysagrine and delphinine ; the 
delphinine is obtained by treating the powder with ether, which 
takes up the delphinine, and leaves the staphysagrine. 

When in a state of purity, delphinine is white, pulverulent, and 
devoid of smell ; but like veratrine, when applied to the mucous 
membrane of the nose, it occasions sneezing, along with an abun- 
dant secretion of mucus. Its taste is at first bitter, and afterwards 
acrid, and it acts upon animals in the same manner as — but more 
energetically than — the seeds whence it is prepared. It is very 
sparingly soluble in water, but yet in sufficient quantity to com- 
municate a bitter taste to the fluid. In alcohol and ether it dissolves 
readily, and these solutions have the property of rendering syrup 
of violets green, and of restoring the blue colour of litmus, when 
reddened by acids. It combines readily with acids, and forms 
neutral salts, which are possessed of much bitterness and acridity, 
and it may be precipitated from solutions of these in the form of a 
jelly by the addition of an alkali. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

From the experiments of Orfila' J with this substance, it appears 
to belong to the class of acro-narcotic poisons. In the dose of about 
five grains it proves fatal to dogs ; and the fatal result is more 
speedily induced when the delphinine is dissolved in weak acetic 
acid ; the animal, in the latter case, dies in the space of from forty 
to fifty minutes. When diffused through water introduced into the 
stomach of a dog, and retained there by a ligature placed around 
the gullet, efforts to vomit supervened, with restlessness, giddiness, 
immobility, slight convulsions, and death in two or three hours. 
In this case, the mucous membrane of the stomach was generally 
found injected. 

1 On the Medical Properties of the Natural Order Ranunculaceae. chapter 
2. Lond. 1835. 

2 Nouveau Journal de Med. x. ; and Toxocolojne Gen. i. 739. 



160 dunglison's new remedies. 

From his administration of delphinine and its salts, Turnbull 
concludes, that the pure alkaloid has little effect on the mucous 
membrane of the stomach and bowels. It may be given, he says, 
in some cases, to the extent of three or four grains a day, in doses 
of half a grain each, without exciting vomiting; in this quantity, 
however, it sometimes operates upon the bowels, but causes very 
little irritation. In most instances it acts as a diuretic, and occa- 
sions a considerable flow of pale urine. When taken to the extent 
of a few grains, it induces heat and tingling in various parts of the 
body, similar to those produced by rubbing it upon the skin ; and 
its other effects are very nearly the same as those of the salts of 
veratrine. 

The preparations of delphinine have been used in the same 
diseases as those of veratrine, and they appear to exert a similar 
action : the test laid down by Turnbull, in the case of the veratrine, 
applies equally to the delphinine; — namely, that unless a solution 
of delphinine in alcohol, in the proportion of four grains to a dram, 
occasions a distinct sensation of heat and pricking, when rubbed 
for three or four minutes on the forehead, the specimen ought not 
to be used, as no beneficial effect would arise from its application. 
When rubbed upon the skin, it gives rise to a sensation of burning, 
not unlike that which manifests itself a short time after the appli- 
cation of a blister, but not to an unpleasant degree, unless the fric- 
tion has been carried too far. The effects of the delphinine differ 
also from those of the veratrine in being generally more powerful 
and durable. 

The diseases in which the delphinine has been chiefly used, like 
the veratrine, are — tic douloureux, paralysis, and rheumatism. In 
the first of these, when the affection is seated in the tongue, or at 
the point where the infra-orbitar nerve escapes from its foramen, 
the use of delphinine, according to Turnbull, is to be preferred, 
because it can be applied to the tongue, or rubbed on the gums, 
without occasioning irritation of the mucous membrane. He thinks 
it, also, upon the whole, better adapted for the treatment of paralytic 
cases than veratrine, but principally on account of the property it 
has "of exciting the circulation in the diseased part." 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The manner of applying delphinine is the same as that recom- 
mended for veratrine. It may be used either in the form of oint- 
ment or in solution in alcohol, and the proportions to be employed, 
in either case, may vary from ten to thirty or more grains to the 
ounce, according to the severity of the affection, for the treatment 
of which it is prescribed. The duration of the frictions should 
also be the same, or until the pungent sensation, produced by the 
rubbing, exhibits itself. 



DIOSMA CRENATA. 161 



DIOSMA CRENATA, (FOLIA.) 

Synonymes. — Barosma Crenata, (folia;) Agothosma Crenatum (folia;) 

Bocchoe, Bocho, Boocho, Buchu Leaves. 
German.— Buccublatter ; Duftstrauchblatter. 

This plant is indigenous at the Cape of Good Hope. It belongs 
to the natural family Rutacese ; class Pentandria, order Mono- 
gynia. 

The smell of the leaves is penetrating and peculiar, but re- 
sembling that of rue and camphor. By some, it has been com- 
pared to that of the oil of juniper. The name appears to be derived 
from the smell, — $k>s, "divine," and oa-^, "odour." The taste of 
the leaves is aromatic, somewhat pungent, and, in the opinion of 
Btichner, resembling that of peppermint ; without any particular 
bitterness, yet disagreeable. According to the analysis of Buchner, 
the most important constituents appear to be a volatile oil of a 
greenish yellow colour, a peculiar principle — diosmine, and a semi- 
resinous substance. The diosmine is a very tenacious adhesive 
matter, similar to the Peruvian balsam, and can be drawn out in 
fine threads. It has the same smell as the leaves, only somewhat 
weaker; the taste is pungent and bitter. The semiresinous matter 
has a resinous lustre; is of a dark brown colour, becomes fluid 
when heated, and burns with a flame. Its odour is not remarkable: 
the taste is somewhat pungent and sourish. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The Hottentots have long used the leaves of several varieties of 
diosma both internally and externally; but they give the preference 
to the diosma crenata. Through them its virtues became known 
to the European settlers. It was first brought to the notice of Bri- 
tish practitioners by the notorious Richard Reece, who is more 
known for the part he took in the farce of Joanna Southcoat than 
for any thing else. In Germany, it was chiefly promulgated by 
Jobst, who published an extract from Reece's observations in the 
Repertorium of Buchner. 2 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

Bardili instituted experiments for testing the action of the remedy 
on the healthy organism. It first acts as an excitant on the sto- 
mach, whence arises a feeling of increased heat in that organ, and 

1 See Journal de Chimie Medicale, iii. 13, and Journal de Pharmacie, xiii. 
106. 
* Band. xxii. S. 51. 

8— C dungl 11 



162 dunglison's new remedies. 

the appetite becomes augmented ; from the stomach, the excitement 
spreads to the vascular system ; the heat of the body is increased ; 
the pulse becomes more frequent, and the transpiration is favoured. 
It acts, likewise, on the urinary secretion ; the urine is separated in 
larger quantity, contains flocculi, deposites a purulent (?) sediment, 
and exhales an aromatic odour. On the digestive function, it seems 
to produce somewhat of a constipating effect. Bardili thinks, 
that he has also witnessed some narcotic operation in his experi- 
ments. 

The same results were produced by the diosma on animals. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

The inhabitants of the Cape administer this agent as a stomachic, 
and the Dutch physicians give it with success in indigestion. It is 
said, also, to have afforded essential service in chronic cases of 
rheumatism and arthritis. Autenrieth extols it in rheumatic pains, 
which have had their foundation in repelled itch ; and its utility in 
chronic rheumatism has been confirmed by Jackson and others. It 
has been extolled, moreover, in haematuria, calculous pains, and in 
irritated and suppurative conditions of the bladder, urethra, and 
prostate. We have repeatedly administered it, but have observed 
no other effects than those of a moderate excitant and tonic. Reece 
found it efficacious in incontinence of urine, and in catarrhus 
vesicae ; and he gave it — united with tincture of cubebs — in spas- 
modic stricture of the urethra, gonorrhoea, swellings of the pros- 
tate, and impotence. 

By the inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope, the buchu leaves 
are often applied externally, both in the form of liniment and of 
baths, in luxations and rheumatic pains, — as well as of fomenta- 
tions and cataplasms, in wounds, especially the contused. ' 

It may be remarked, that this— like almost every other astringent 
remedy — has been given in cholera ; and the Riga physicians assert, 
frequently with favourable results. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The dose of the powder is 3ij in the day ; this, at least, is the 
common dose at the Cape. The infusion necessarily contains more 
of the volatile oil than the decoction ; but, on the other hand, the 
latter has more of the diosmine : as respects their action, however, 
there is not much difference. A vinegar, oxymel, liniment, extract, 
and tincture of the diosma have been advised. 

The Dublin Pharmacopoeia has an infusum buchu. (§ss of the 
leaves to foss of water); dose giss: and a tinctura buchu (§ij of 
the leaves to ifcj of proof spirit) ; dose 3ij or 5iij. 



ELECTROPUNCTURA. 163 

Tnfusum Diosmce, Crenatcz Compositum. 

Compound Infusion of Buchn. 

5<. Fol. diosm. crenat. 

uvse ursi, aa. ^ss. 

Aq. fervid, §viij. 
Digere leni calore in vase clauso per semihoram. Colafuree adde 
Syiup. seneg. 3ss. 

Dose. — One or two spoonfuls every two hours, in blennorrhea, 
and in atony and paralysis of the bladder. Clarus. 



ELECTROPUNCTURA. 

Synonyme— Electropuncture* 

This consists in a union of acupuncturation with electricity, 
The idea of the conjunction appears to have originated with Ber- 
lioz ; but Sarlandiere was, doubtless, the first who put it in practice, 
although J. Cloquet has contested the priority with him — a matter, 
by the way, as in all such cases, of extremely small moment. The 
operation consists in employing acupuncturation in the usual way, 
either with a single needle, or with two or more; and making a 
communication between them and the prime conductor of an elec- 
trical machine ; or they may be made to form part of the circuit in 
the discharge of a Leyden jar. In this way, the electrical influence 
may be graduated from the simple aura to a full shock. Sarlandiere 
appears to have employed electropuncture with great success, but 
he restricts its use to rheumatic or neuralgic pains, uncomplicated 
with organic mischief or inflammation : when such complications 
exist, he advises bloodletting and general antiphlogistics to be pre- 
mised. 1 

Guersent thinks it better, in all these cases, to use simple acu- 
puncturation, and only to employ electropuncture, when the first 
proves to be inadequate, as in paralysis, and in tremors produced by 
the immoderate use of mercury ;— in all cases, indeed, in which the 
malady depends on a diminution of the nervous energy. A case of 
success from its use, in paralysis of the right arm, in which volun- 
tary motion and sensibility were destroyed, has been recently pub- 
lished. 2 The patient was, in the first instance, subjected to the use 
of blisters and moxas along the course of the radial nerve, from 
which he obtained some advantage. The remedy which succeeded 

1 E. Grafe, Art. Electropunctura, in Encyclopad. WOrterb. der medi- 
cinisch. Wissensch. x. 550. Berlin, 1834. 

2 La Lancette Franchise, Dec. 20, 1836; and American Med. Intelli- 
gencer, Oct. 16, 1837, p. 265. 



164 dunglison's new remedies. 

best, however, was electropuncture along the nerves from the 
shoulder to the hand. At first, the punctures were but little felt, 
but afterwards they were very painful. The sensibility, mobility, 
and strength of the fingers and hand gradually returned ; and, 
three months after his admission, the patient left the hospital com- 
pletely cured. 

Magendie affirms, that he has treated many cases of incomplete 
amaurosis with great success by this agency. He employed it, 
however, in the form of what has been more properly termed gal- 
vanopuncture ; by fixing a needle in the frontal nerve, and another 
in the superior maxillary, and making these communicate respec- 
tively with the poles of a galvanic pile of twelve pairs of plates, 
each six inches square. Whenever the contact was made, the pa- 
tient experienced a painful commotion in the course of the nerves, 
and at the bottom of the orbit; the light became better appreciated, 
and the pupil contracted. 

We have frequently used both electropuncture and galvano- 
puncture in rheumatic and neuralgic affections; but do not think 
the advantages were more marked than those of simple acupunc- 
ture, whilst the suffering from the operation was certainly greater. 

In cases of asphyxia, galvanopuncture has been proposed to 
arouse the dormant energies. The effect of electricity, in the dif- 
ferent forms in which it is adopted in medicine, on the functions of 
sensibility and muscular contraction, could not fail to suggest it 
early to observers as a fit agent for this purpose; but it is rarely 
at hand, and, therefore, seldom available. J. P. Frank, Thillaye, 1 
and others have highly recommended it; — the latter gentleman, on 
the strength of numerous experiments on animals. As the object, 
in these cases, is to arouse the respiratory muscles to action, the 
electric shock may be passed through the shoulders or the chest in 
any direction. Neither common nor galvanic electricity is possessed 
of any power to restore the action of the involuntary muscles. We 
have frequently attempted to re-excite the action of the heart, in- 
testines, fibres of the uterus, &c. soon after the cessation of re- 
spiration and circulation, by means of the galvanic stimulus, but 
without the slightest success, although the voluntary muscles re- 
sponded to it energetically. Besides, were the action of the heart 
re-excited by it, this could be but momentary. A necessary stimu- 
lating agency to that viscus is distension by the proper fluid, and 
unless the respiratory movements were restored, and conversion of 
venous to arterial blood effected, so that the latter could reach the 
left heart, the action of that organ could not be maintained. Every 
attempt, therefore, is properly made to restore the action of the 
respiratory muscles, so that haematosis may be accomplished. 2 

1 Archives Generates de Medecine, xii. 

2 Art. Asphyxia, by the author, in the American Cyclopaedia of Practical 
Medicine, part x. p. 48ti, Sept. 18:;6. 






ELECTROPUNCTURA. • 165 

M. Leroy d'Etioles 1 has suggested galvanopuncture in a manner 
which, at the first aspect, appears most formidable ; but which is 
really less so than it seems to be, in consequence of the impunity 
with which fine needles can be made to penetrate, as we have seen, 2 
even the most important organs. He introduced an acupuncture 
needle on each side between the eighth and ninth rib, until it 
reached the fibres of the diaphragm. He then established a gal- 
vanic current between the needles by means of a pile of twenty-five 
or thirty pairs of plates, an inch in diameter. The diaphragm im- 
mediately contracted, and an inspiration was accomplished. He 
then interrupted the circle, when the diaphragm, urged by the 
weight of the abdominal viscera, and aided by gentle pressure 
made on the abdomen by the hand, returned to its former position, 
and an expiration was effected. In this way, the two respiratory 
acts were made to succeed each other, and regular respiration was 
reinduced. A continuous current was likewise employed in some 
cases, but the respiratory movements were irregular, and nothing 
like natural respiration resulted. 

Leroy tried his method on animals asphyxied by submersion, and 
when they had not been under water more than five minutes, they 
were often restored. 

These experiments were witnessed by Magendie. 3 On different 
occasions, M. Leroy asphyxied animals of the same kind, and ap- 
parently of the same strength, and whilst those that were left to 
themselves perished, those that were treated by galvanism reco- 
vered. 

As an aid, therefore, to pulmonary insufflation, and an important 
one, galvanism, combined or not with acupuncturation, might be 
advantageously employed in asphyxia, but as has been already re- 
marked, it can rarely be available. Certainly no time should be 
lost in adopting the other energetic and indispensable measures 
that are demanded. 4 It has been recommended, that as only a very 
small apparatus is necessary, batteries, consisting of a few plates, 
might be kept wherever there are station-houses for the reception 
of persons in a state of asphyxia. 5 The suggestion is good ; and 
they might also with propriety form a part of the cabinet of appa- 
ratus of the private practitioner ; but whilst an assistant is preparing 
the apparatus for action, the practitioner should be assiduously 
engaged in applying other means of resuscitation. 6 

1 Magendie's Journal de Physiologie, tom. vii. 1827; torn. viii. and torn. 
ix ; also Recherehes Experimentales sur J'Asphyxie, Paris, 1829; and 
Bourgeois, Observations sur la possibility du retour a la vie dans plusieurs 
cas d'Asphyxie. Paris, 1829. 

* See Art. Acupuncture. 

8 Journal de Pbysiolo^ie, ix. 

* See Art. Asphyxia, Op. cit. p. 486. 

6 Kay, in Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journ. xxix. and in his work on Asphyxia. 
Lond. 1834. 

6 See Most, Art. Galvanismus, in Encyklopad. der gesammten medicio. 
und chirurgisch. Praxis, u. s. w. 2te Auflage. Leipz. 1836. 



166 dunglison's new remedies. 



EMETINA. 

Synonymes. Emetinum, Emetia, Emeta, Emetine. 
German. — Emetin, Brechstoff. 

In the year 1817, MM. Pelletier and Magendie, 1 by a series of 
chemical and physiological experiments, discovered, that the various 
kinds of ipecacuanha are indebted for their emetic properties to a 
peculiar substance to which they gave the name Emetine. 

This substance possesses the emetic power in a very concentrated 
state, and has neither the disagreeable smell, nor the nauseous taste 
of the ipecacuanha. They considered, therefore, that it might be 
advantageously substituted for ipecacuanha on all occasions. 

There are two varieties of the active principle — the coloured and 
the pure, which, as Magendie remarks, 2 bear the same relation to 
each other as moist sugar does to the white and crystallised. Ipe- 
cacuanha, derived from the cephaelis ipecacuanha, contains the 
most emetine. 

Emetine has been received into many of the Pharmacopoeias, as 
the Parisian, Batavian, Hannoverian, &c. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

1. Coloured Emetine. — Powdered ipecacuanha is digested with 
ether at 60° (.720) to dissolve the fatty matter, whence it derives its 
disagreeable odour, and which possesses no emetic virtue. When 
the powder yields nothing more to the ether, it is exhausted by 
means of alcohol, the alcohol is then evaporated in a water-bath, 
and the residue is dissolved in cold water. It thus loses some of 
the wax, and a little fatty matter, which still adhered to it ; it is 
then only necessary to mix it with the carbonate of magnesia, 
whereby it loses its gallic acid, — to redissolve it in alcohol, and to 
evaporate to dryness. 

By a similar process, M. Boullay obtained from the roots, leaves, 
flowers, and seeds of the viola odorata, an active, alkaline, bitter 
and acrid principle, similar to emetine from ipecacuanha, which he 
denominates emetine of the violet, indigenous emetine ox violine. 
According to Orfila, it possesses highly poisonous qualities. 3 

2. Pure emetine. — This is obtained by substituting calcined 
magnesia, for the carbonate used in the process just described, in 
such quantity, that the acid existing in the liquid may be neutral- 
ised, and that which is associated with the emetine be separated 
from it. 

The precipitate of magnesia and emetine must now be washed 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, iii. 145, and Magendie's Formulaire pour la pre- 
paration de plusieuts nouveaux medicamtns, &c. 

2 Op. cit. 

3 Journal de Pharmacie, Janvier, 1824. 



EMETINA. 167 

with a little very cold water, to remove the colouring matter, which 
is not combined with the magnesia ; and after being carefully dried 
it must be treated with alcohol, which dissolves the emetine. The 
emetine, obtained by the evaporation of the alcohol, must then be 
dissolved in a dilute acid, and treated with pure animal charcoal. 
After this purification, the emetine must be precipitated by a salifi- 
able base. 

The waters, used to wash the magnesian precipitate, still contain 
emetine, which may be separated by a second series of operations. 

Coloured emetine appears in the form of reddish brown, trans- 
parent scales; is almost inodorous, and of a bitter, but not nau- 
seous taste. It can withstand the heat of boiling water without 
experiencing change; is very deliquescent, soluble in water, and 
not crystallisable. 

Pure emetine has a white and frequently a somewhat yellowish 
appearance ; is pulverulent, and does not deliquesce, like the 
former, in the air. In cold water, it is but little soluble ; more so 
in warm. In ether and alcohol it dissolves readily. Its taste is 
feebly bitter. It has an alkaline reaction, is dissolved by all the 
acids — diminishing their acidity, but without wholly neutralising 
them. With the acids it forms crystallisable compounds, from which 
it may be precipitated by galls, which are the best agents for ob- 
viating the effects of emetine, when given in too large a dose. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

According to Magendie, 1 from half a grain to two or three grains 
of coloured emetine given to dogs and cats, excited vomiting, at 
times followed by a long sleep. In larger doses, ten grains for ex- 
ample, it occasioned, in dogs, repeated vomiting, after which the 
animal fell asleep, and generally died in twenty-four hours. On 
dissection, violent inflammation was found in the lungs, and in the 
mucous membrane of the stomach and bowels throughout their 
whole extent. The effects were the same when the emetine was 
injected into the jugular vein, or absorbed from any part of the 
body. In a healthy man, two grains of coloured emetine, taken 
fasting, produced repeated vomiting, to which succeeded decided 
disposition to sleep. Even a quarter of a grain at times induced 
nausea and vomiting. It acted also on the bowels. 

The effects of pure emetine are analogous, but more powerful ; 
two grains were sufficient to kill a strong dog. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

The same effects are induced on the morbid as on the healthy 
economy. 

Magendie recommends the administration of the coloured eme- 
tine — as the pure is much too dear — in every case where it is 

1 Op. citat. 



168 dunglison's new remedies. 

desirable to excite vomiting-, and especially where ipecacuanha is 
indicated. It has not, however, been much used, except by Ma- 
gendie himself. Lerminier, who prescribed it, says that one or 
two grains of coloured emetine are equal in strength to from 
ten to twenty of ipecacuanha ; but that he observed no difference 
in their operation. The obvious advantages it possesses are — the 
convenient and agreeable form under which it may be administered, 
and the circumstance, that several spurious sorts of ipecacuanha 
are frequently passed off in commerce, and occasion, in consequence, 
considerable disappointment in the mind of the practitioner. The 
employment of the active principle of course precludes these incon- 
veniences. 1 

Prollius, of Wolfhagen, has frequently administered the pure 
emetine, which he recommends as a substitute for ipecacuanha, 
on the grounds above mentioned ; and he properly adds, that the 
price is not a matter of so much moment as it might seem to 
be by reason of the very small quantity required to produce the 
desired effects. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

To produce vomiting, three grains of the coloured emetine may 
be dissolved in any vehicle, and given in divided doses, at short 
intervals. Of the pure emetine, Magendie found, in a man eighty- 
five years of age, one-sixteenth of a grain sufficient to induce vo- 
miting. He remarks, however, that the man was easily made to 
vomit. Prollius found the medium dose of the pure emetine, for 
an adult, to be from two-sixteenths to three-sixteenths of a grain ; 
sometimes it was requisite to give another sixteenth. Very rarely 
was it necessary to give more than four-sixteenths, or one-fourth 
of a grain. As, on account of its sparing solubility, pure emetine, 
when given alone, might be restricted in its operation, Prollius 
adds an equal portion of tartaric acid and a little sugar. 

Mistura Emetina, Vomitoria. 

Emetic Mixture of Emetine. 

9<. Emetin. colorat. gr. iv. 
Infus. fol. aurant. ^ij. 
Syrup, flor. aurant. £ss. M. 

Dose. — A dessert-spoonful every half hour; to excite vomiting. 
Any simple distilled water and syrup may be substituted for those 
of the orange flowers. Magendie. 

Pastilli Emetince Pectorales. 
Pectoral Lozenges of Emetine. 

B<. Emetin. colorat. gr. xxxij. 
Sacchar. alb. %'\w. 
Mucilag. q. s. ut fiant pastilli, pond. gr. ix sing. 

1 Clinique Medicale, vol. i. Paris. 1823. 



EUPHORBIA LATHYRIS. 169 

These lozenges are commonly coloured red, to distinguish them 
from those of ipecacuanha. A little carmine may be added for 
this purpose. 

Given in cases of catarrh, hooping-cough, chronic diarrhoea, (fee. 

Dose. — One pastile occasionally. Magendie. 

Pastilli Emetince Vomit or ii. 

Emetic Lozenges of Emetine. 

&. Emetin. colorat. gr. xxxij. 
Sacch. alb. ^ij. 
Mucilag. q. s. ut fiant pastill. pond. gr. xviij. 

Dose. — One of these lozenges taken fasting is generally enough 
to make a child vomit: three or four are required for an adult. 

Magendie. 
Mistura Ernetince Purificalce Vomitoria. 
Emetic Mixture of Purified Emetine. 

5«. Emetin. purif. in pauxil. acid. nitr. solut. gr. j. 
Infus. flor. tiliae, ^iij. 
Syrup, althaea?, 3j. M. 

Dose. — A dessert-spoonful to be given every quarter of an hour, 
until vomiting is induced. Magendie. 



EUPHORBIA LATHYRIS. 

Synonymes.— Cataputia Minor, Lafhyris, Tithymalus Latifolius, Caper 
Spurge, Garden Spurge, Mole Plant. 

The oil of this plant, which is indigenous in France, and is 
monoecious, has been recently recommended in medicine. Although 
the euphorbia is not a native of this country, it is sometimes met 
with in situations where it has the appearance of growing wild. 
It is easily cultivated, and in some parts of New Jersey, where it 
has been introduced, is found in abundance. 1 

The oil, obtained from the seeds, resembles in colour the oleum 
ricini, but is less dense. It has no odour when newly prepared, 
and no perceptible taste. It is soluble in sulphuric ether, insoluble 
in alcohol, and forms a soap with the alkalies. Its s. g. is .920. 

effects on the economy in disease. 

Dr. Charles Calderini found, that, in the dose of from four to 
eight drops, it acted as a cathartic on the adult, without occasioning 

' Scattergood, in Philad. Journ. of Pharmacy, iv. 124, Philad. 1S33. See, 
also, Journal de Chiraie Medicale, ii. 178. 



170 dunglison's new remedies. 

colio or tenesmus. In half the quantity, it proved cathartic to 
children. He gave it in sugared water, or in the form of an emul- 
sion ; and was of opinion that it might be advantageously substi- 
tuted for castor oil, especially for children. 

After him, it was employed by M. Grimaud, and subsequently by 
M. Bally, 1 who carried the dbse as far as ten drops. 

Louis Frank 2 has suggested its employment in cases of taenia, 
hysteralgia, ascites, &c. 

It would appear from the remarks of Mr. Scattergood, that the 
oil, obtained from the beans grown in this country, does not possess 
the mild qualities ascribed to the European article. Six, eight, ten, 
and twelve drops were given to several individuals as a cathartic; 
and, although administered in conjunction with aromatic oils, and 
in one or two cases with an alkali in the form of soap, it invariably 
produced nausea, and even vomiting. Mr. Scattergood adds, that 
he has been informed by the manufacturer, Mr. Thomas Bellangee, 
of Cross wicks, New Jersey, that when administered in small quan- 
tities, and repeated at intervals of half an hour or an hour, it ope- 
rates on the bowels freely as a cathartic, without producing much 
nausea. 

Pichonnier 3 has proposed the following formula for a cathartic 
mixture. 

Mistura Olei Euphorbia. 

Mixture of the Oil of Euphorbia. 

5<. Olei euphorb. lathyr. gtt. viij. 
Pulv. gum. arab. 3j. 
Sacchar. jfij. 
Aquae distillat. ^iij. M. 



FERRI PRiEPARATA. 

Synonymes. Preparations of Iron. 
French. — Les Preparations de Fer. 
German. — Eisenpraparate. 

I. FERRUM ARSENIATUM. 

Synonymes. Arsenias Ferri; Ferrum Arsenicicum Oxydulatum. 

French. — Arseniate de Fer. 

German. — Arsensaures Eisenoxydul, Arseniksaures Eisenoxvdul. 

This preparation has been recommended by Mr. Carmichael, 4 
who often applied it externally in cases of cancerous ulcers. Na- 

1 Journal Universel des Sciences Medicales, xli. 254. 

2 Journal de Pharmacie, xi. 273 ; and Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. 
Med. iii. 183. Paris, 1831. 

3 Journal de Chimie Medicale. Paris, 1827. 

4 An Essay on the Effects of the Carbonate and other Preparations of 
Iron upon Cancer, 2d edit. Dublin, 1809. 



FERRI PR.EPARATA. 171 

tu rally, it presents itself in small, clear, bluish green crystals, of a 
regular octaedral shape, and is called scorodite. Artificially, it is 
formed by double decomposition. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Glaser gives the following formula for its preparation. Eight 
ounces of semivitrified white arsenic, sprinkled with a little spirit 
of wine and reduced to fine powder, are mixed with as much puri- 
fied saltpetre. The mixture is placed in an uncovered Hessian 
crucible, which should only be half filled with it, and then be placed 
in a wind furnace. At first, a slight degree of heat is applied, under 
which the mass soon melts, giving off copious red fumes, the inha- 
lation of which should be carefully avoided. The process had 
better, therefore, be carried on in the open air, or in a laboratory 
that has a chimney with a good draft. When the mass no longer 
gives off red fumes, and flows tranquilly, the crucible must be 
carefully removed from the fire, the contents be suffered to cool 
somewhat, and boiling distilled water be poured upon them : under 
active boiling they will dissolve altogether. Hot water, sufficient 
to fill the crucible, is now added, and the whole is allowed to 
remain at rest for twenty-four hours ; at the expiration of which 
time a considerable quantity of beautiful crystals of acid arseniate of 
potassa is found on the sides of the crucible. The fluid, holding 
the salt in solution, is now filtered into a clean porcelain or glass 
vessel ; the crystals are collected, dried carefully in the shade, and 
put away amongst the poisons as the Arsenias potassce. acidus. 

The fluid poured from the crystals and filtered is now diluted 
with distilled water, and a solution of pure sulphate of iron added 
thereto so long as any precipitate is thrown down. The bluish 
green precipitate, insoluble in water, is the ferrum arseniatum, 
which must be collected on a filter, washed and dried in the shade. 
The process must be conducted with the greatest care, and the 
vessels used be cautiously cleansed or broken, for fear that mischief 
may arise. In these chemical operations, the acid of the saltpetre 
is decomposed by being heated with the arsenious acid or white 
arsenic, a part of its oxygen is taken by the latter, and arsenic acid 
is thereby formed, which unites with the potassa of the saltpetre 
and forms acid arseniate of potassa; the nitric acid being converted 
into nitrous acid is given off in the form of red fumes : by admix- 
ture of a solution of sulphate of iron with the solution of the acid 
arseniate of potassa, a double decomposition ensues, the result of 
which is the formation of sulphate of potassa and arseniate of iron, 
which last, being insoluble, falls to the bottom of the vessel. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

According to Carmichael, this preparation acts more powerfully 
on the vitality of cancerous formations than any other agent, and 



172 dunglison's new remedies. 

the dead slough caused by it is much deeper than that caused by 
the application — which was at one time so much celebrated — called 
"Plunket's caustic." He allows, however, that the greatest caution 
should be observed in its use. Of late, he has employed a compound 
of the arseniate of iron with phosphate of iron ; half a dram of the 
former to two drams of the latter. This mixture must be applied 
very thin by means of a camel's hair pencil, and not over the whole 
surface of the ulcer when it is extensive. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The compound just mentioned may be applied in the form of 
ointment, in the following manner: 

Unguentum Ferri Arseniatis Compositum. 

Compound Ointment of Arseniate of Iron. 

£. Ferri arseniat. £ss. 

phosphat. jij. 

Ung. cetacei. 3 vi. M. 

This ointment must be spread on lint and applied to the ulcer. 
Werneck gives it the preference over all the usual arsenical prepa- 
rations. The arseniate of iron has likewise been administered in- 
ternally in cancerous affections. The following formula may be 
used. 

Pilules, Ferri Arseniati Composites. 

Compound Pills of Arseniate of Iron. 

£. Ferri arseniat. gr. iij. 
Extract, gentian. 3j. 
Pulv. glycyrrhiz. 3ij. 
Syrup, cujusvis q. s. ut fiat 
Massa, in pilulas xlviii dividenda. 

Dose. — One, three times a day. 

II. FERRUM BROMATUM. 

Synonymes. — Bromated, or Bromide of, Iron ; — in solution, Hydrobromate 

of Iron, Ferri Hydrobromas. 
French. — Bromine de Fer. 
German. — Bromeisen. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

This preparation is made by heating equal parts of bromine and 
iron filings under water. As soon as the fluid becomes of a greenish 
color it is filtered, and evaporated to dryness: the reddish residue — 
again dissolved in water and evaporated— is the bromide of iron. 



FERRI PR.EPARATA. 173 

It has a brick-red colour ; dissolves readily in water, is deliquescent 
in the air, and has a very styptic taste. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY AND MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Magendie has prescribed it successfully in cases, in which the 
preparations of bromine have been indicated. (See Brominum, p. 
88.) He recommends the following formula. 

Pilulce Ferri Bromati. 

Pills of Bromide of Iron. 

£. Ferri bromat. pulv. gr. xij. 
Confect. rosar. gr. xviij. 
Gum. arab. gr. xij. 
Fiat massa in pilulas xx dividenda. 

Dose. — Two, morning and evening. Magendie. 

&. Ferri bromat. 3j. 
Extract, glycyrrhiz.. 
ut fiat massa in pilulas lx dividenda. 

Dose. — One or two, morning and evening, in cases of scrofula 
and hypertrophy — of the uterus especially. Werneck. 

III. FERRUM CARBONATUM PRiECIPITATUM. 

Synonymes. — Ferri Carbonas Praecipitatus, F. Subcarbonas, Ferrum Car- 
bonicurn Oxydulatum, Oxydum Ferri Fuscum, Deuto-Carbonas Ferri 
Fuscus, Crocus Martis Aperiens, Ferri Sesquioxydum, Subcarbonate of 
Iron, Sesquioxide of Iron, Peroxide of Iron. 

French. — Souscarbonate de Fer, Safran de Mars Aperitif. 

German. — Kohlensaure Eisenoxydul. 

This preparation, which is officinal in the British, American, 
and other pharmacopoeias, is formed by adding a solution of car- 
bonate of soda to a solution of sulphate of iron : the precipitate is 
the carbonate, or subcarbonate, or — as it is now called in the 
London Pharmacopoeia — the sesquioxide of iron, which must be 
washed with water, and dried. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The precipitated carbonate of iron possesses the properties of 
the chalybeates in general, and has been highly recommended as a 
tonic, wherever such remedies are indicated. We introduce it here, 
mainly on account of the favour which it has received, of late 
years, as a remedy for neuralgia. Thirty years ago, its use was 
strongly advised in cancer and carcinomatous ulcerations of the 

' Magendie, Formulaire pour la preparation, &c, de plusieurs nouveaux 
medicamens, derniere edit. 



174 dunglison's new remedies. 

uterus, by Mr. Carmichael ; x and, subsequently, by Rust, Voelker, 
and Kopp ; as well as in a case of lupus of the ala nasi, by Key ; 2 
but, in similar cases, it proved unsuccessful in the hands of Clarke, 
El. Voti Siebold, Meissner, Richter, and others. 3 In chronic ner- 
vous diseases, of a spasmodic nature, and especially in tic doulou- 
reux of the face, it was first highly extolled by Mr. Benjamin 
Hutchinson, about twenty years ago. 4 who published several cases 
of cure effected by its agency. Soon afterwards, cases, equally 
fortunate in their termination, were published by various observers, 
by Drs. A. T. Thomson, 3 Stewart Crawford, 5 R. Macleod, 7 Mr. J. 
E. Beale, 8 and many others, and its efficacy is now almost univer- 
sally admitted. Dr. Rowland 9 has often witnessed the most happy 
results from its exhibition, even after various powerful medicines 
had been tried in vain. 

Dr. Elliotson 10 published several cases, in which the remedy, in 
large doses, had been efficacious ; and he remarks, that true 
chronic neuralgia, not arising from cold, and coming on in a vio- 
lent, stabbing, plunging form, aggravated by the least shake of the 
patient, and by touching the surface, is best treated by the sub- 
carbonate of iron. He observes, however, in a recent publication, 11 
that he does not recollect that he ever cured the disease, but in 
almost every case improved it, and caused it to disappear for a 
time. In one of the severest cases of neuralgia, under the form of 
hemicrania, which we ever witnessed, and which had rendered the 
patient's life miserable for years, the subcarbonate of iron, in large 
doses, proved, in our hands, entirely successful. The patient had 
been bled repeatedly; and when we saw her, she was under the 
most favourable circumstances for the exhibition of the remedy, 
with the surface pale and cool; the pulse small; complaining 
much of debility, and yet suffering under the most intense head- 
ach, which the least light and noise rendered almost intolerable ; 
yet, after she had persevered in the use of the remedy for a month, 
in large doses, the symptoms gradually disappeared, and she has 
since remained entirely well. It need scarcely be said, that where 
plethora exists, or febrile irritation supervenes, it must be re- 

1 An Essay on the Effects of the Carbonate and other Preparations of 
Iron upon Cancer, 2d edit. Dublin, 1809. 

2 Laocet. xiv. 92. 

3 Osann. in Encyclopad. Wurterb. der medicinisch. Wissenschaft. x. 424. 
Berlin, 1834. 

4 Cases of Tic Douloureux successfully treated. Lond. 1820. 
6 Medical and Physical Journal, Feb. 1823. 

6 Ibid. 

7 Ibid. June, 1823. 

8 Ibid. Sept. 1823. 

9 Treatise on Neuralgia, by Richard Rowland, M. D., p. 84. Lond. 1838; 
and the reprint in the editor's American Medical Library. 

10 Medico-Chirurgieal Transactions, xv. 161. 

11 Principles and Practice of Medicine, &c. by John Elliotson, M. D. ; 
with Notes, &c. by Nathaniel Rogers, M. D. p. 507. Lond. 1839. 



FERRI PR^EPARATA. 175 

moved ; the subcarbonate rarely, however, disagrees with the sto- 
mach, and where it does, the inconveniences are removed by the 
addition of an aromatic, or the administration of a cathartic. 

The subcarbonate of iron, in large doses, has, likewise, been 
found a valuable agent in a kindred condition of the nervous sys- 
tem — chorea. Dr. Elliotson 1 affirms, that he has had — he should 
suppose — forty cases, in succession, all cured by it; but perseve- 
rance in its use is demanded, the affection generally disappearing 
when the remedy has been given about six weeks or two months; 
but in some obstinate cases, it has been necessary to continue it for 
twelve weeks. 

Like other tonics, it has been prescribed in intermittents, and 
not long ago, M. Gimon, 2 physician at Thouars, published two 
cases, elucidative of the effects of large doses in long protracted 
intermittents, complicated with ascites and enlargement of the 
spleen. One of these occurred in a boy nine years old, and the 
other in a young man of twenty-one. Both had taken the sulphate 
of quinine in large doses, but ineffectually. To the former, he pre- 
scribed twelve grains of the subcarbonate in the twenty-four hours, 
augmenting the dose by six grains daily. The treatment was com- 
menced in the latter end of July, 1835, and the quantity taken in 
the day was pushed progressively to one ounce. In six months, 
the traces of ascites and splenocele had disappeared, and the cure 
was complete. The medicine was discontinued by gradually dimi- 
nishing the dose. In the second case, the same dose was pre- 
scribed, in the first instance, and it was ultimately carried to six 
drams, with complete success. 

More recently, still, Dr. Steyman 3 has recommended the carbo- 
nate of iron for the treatment of hooping-cough, in the dose of 
half a grain at the least, to be taken every three hours with sugar, 
and increased to as many grains as, and more than, the number of 
years of the child's age. It should not, he advises, be administered 
in the first stage of the disease ; and, in all cases, should be pre- 
ceded by an emetic. 

The great efficacy of this preparation — as of every tonic — in 
diseases that are paroxysmal, aj^ears to consist in the new impres- 
sion which it makes upon the nerves of the stomach, and, through 
them, upon those of the whole system ; but to effect the revulsion 
to the requisite extent, it appears to be necessary — as in the cases 
of the artemisia and the indigo in epilepsy — to keep up the effect 
of the remedy by gradually increasing the dose. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The dose of the subcarbonate of iron, in cases of neuralgia and 
chorea, should be large. Mr. Hutchinson prescribed it in the 

1 Op. citat. p. 515. 

* Journal des Connoissances Medico-Chirurgicales, Mai, 1837. 
3 Mediein. Correspondenz-Blatt, and Gazette Medicale de Paris, June 20, 
1838. 



176 dunglison's new remedies. 

quantity of 3ss to 3ij twice a day ; but where it fails to remove 
the complaint in those doses, Dr. Elliotson recommends, that it 
should be increased gradually to one or two ounces. We have 
never found it necessary to carry it so high. The best vehicle is 
molasses. The following formulae have been recommended. 1 

Pulvis Ferri Sesquioxydi — (P. Ferri Carbonati Prcecipitati.) 

Powder of Sesquioxide of Iron. 

5<. Ferri sesquioxydi, gr. x. 
Pulv. cinnam. corap. gr. v. 
M. fiat pulvis mane et meridie sumendus. 

Boli Ferri Sesquioxydi. 

Boluses of Sesquioxide of Iron. 

5<. Ferri sesquioxydi, gr. x. 
Pulv. Valerianae, Jss. 
Syrup, zingib. q. s. 
Fiat bolus. 

Pilulce Ferri Sesquioxydi. 

Pills of Sesquioxide of Iron. 

&. Ferri sesquioxydi, 

Extract, anthemid. aa. gss. 
Misce et divide in pilulas xij, quarum sumat binas ter quotidie. 

5f. Ferri sesquioxydi, 3j. 

Pilul. aloes cum myrrha, £ss. 
Misce et divide in pilulas xviij : duse bis terve indies sumendae. 

Electuarium Ferri Sesquioxydi. 

Electuary of Sesquioxide of Iron. 

5<. Ferri sesquioxyd. 

Contecl. aurant. aa. 3j- 
Syrupi zingib. q. s. 
ut fiat electuarium cujus sumatur cochleare minimum bis vel tei die. 

IV. FERRUM CARBURETUM. 

Synonymes. — Ferri Carburetum, F. Carbonatum, F. Supercarburetum; 

Graphites, Plumbago, Carbo mineralis. Black Lead, Carburet of Iron. 
French. — Carbure de Fer, Graphite, Crayon noir, Plombagine. 
German. — Kohleustoffeisen, Graphit, Reissblei. 

This well known substance was formerly considered to be 
slightly astringent and desiccative. By Weinhold, 2 it has been ad- 
vised strongly in certain cutaneous affections, but although it has 
been received into various pharmacopoeias of continental Europe, 
as the Antwerp, Bavarian, Brunswick, Spanish, Parisian, Finnish, 

1 Brande, Dictionary of the Materia Medica, p. 248. Lond. 1839. 

2 Der Graphit als ein neu eutdecktes Mittel gegen Flechten. Leipz. 1809. 



FERRI PRjEPARATA. 177 

Prussian, Saxon, and Swedish, it has never been recognised as a 
therapeutical agent in this country or in Great Britain. 

MODE OP PREPARING. 

As crude graphite is frequently very impure from the attached 
matrix, the Prussian Pharmacopoeia has a formula for its purifica- 
tion, the product of whfch bears the name graphites depuratus. 
With this view, the graphite must be very finely pulverised ; a 
pound of it is boiled in a proper quantity of common water, for an 
hour, the water is then decanted, and two ounces of nitric acid and 
of muriatic acid, and eight ounces of common water are poured 
upon the graphite. This mixture is digested for twenty-four hours, 
frequently shaking it ; the acid fluid is then poured off, and, after 
the residuum has been washed by an appropriate quantity of com- 
mon water, it is dried. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The internal use of graphite produces no perceptible change 
on the organic functions, except that according to Weinhold, under 
its protracted use, the urinary secretion is augmented, and a dispo- 
sition to micturition excited. He found, however, that in herpetic 
and other cutaneous affections, it occasioned a very favourable 
modification in the eruption, and wholly removed it. In conse- 
quence of the results of his observations, he published a monograph 
in which he recommended the graphite to physicians in those affec- 
tions. He employed it as well internally as externally. The urine, 
he asserts, after its administration, commonly began to make a de- 
posite, and this continued until some change in the cutaneous 
affection announced its approaching cure. 

In cases of complication of herpes with other affections, Wein- 
hold combined it with other remedies ; in syphilitic eruptions 
ad ling corrosive sublimate, &c. 

The efficacy of the graphite in herpetic and other cutaneous 
affections, has also been attested by many other respectable physi- 
cians, as Horn, Heim, Ruggieri, Brera, Bernstein, Hildenbrand, 
Riehter, Hufeland, Marc, 1 &c. This gave occasion to its admis- 
sion into the Prussian Pharmacopoeia, yet it has not the confidence 
of physicians, even in those countries into the pharmacopoeias of 
which it has been received, and is consequently but little used. 

Its use in chronic cutaneous diseases is said to have been sug- 

1 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. Stuttgart, 1837, S. 214; see, 
also, Weinhold, in Hufeland's Journal, B. xxxiv. St. 1. S. 118; Heim, in 
Horn's Archiv. 1810, xii. 326, and Ibid, 1811, B. 1. S. 91; Huber, in Med. 
Chir. Zeilung, 1811, No. 68, S. 282 ; Hufeland, Journ. der prakt. Heilkunde, 
B. xxxviii. St. 6; Bernstein, Ibid, B. xli. St. 5 ; Mayer, Ibid, B. lx. St. 2, 
and Osann, in Encyclop. Worterb. der Med. Wissensch. x. 434. Berlin. 
1834. 

8— d dungl 12 



178 dunglison's new remedies. 

gested by the circumstance, that, in Venice, the makers of crayons 
are speedily cured of any such affections under which they may 
labour. 1 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

Internally, graphite is given in doses of from five to fifteen grains, 
from two to four times daily ; and the dose may be augmented, 
according to circumstances, to a dram in the day. It is given in 
powder, or in the pilular form. Externally, it is applied in the 
form of ointment or plaster — from 3rj to 3vj of the graphite to an 
ounce of the constituent. 

Pirivis Ferri Carbureti. 

Powder of Carburet of Iron. 

5^. Ferri carburet, pur. 

Sacch. alb. aa. ^ss. M. 
Divide in partes aequal. vi. 

Dose. — One every two hours — in lichen leproides. 

HlLDENBRAND. 

Electuarium Ferri Carbureti. 

Electuary of Carburet of Iron. 

9<. Ferri carburet, pur. ,§ss. 
Mellis despumat. ,§ij. M. 
Fiat electuarium. 

Dose. — A coffee-spoonful morning and evening. Weinhold. 

PilulcB Ferri Carbureti. 

Pills of Carburet of Iron. 

9<. Ferri carburet, pur. 

Extract, dulcamar. aa. £j. 
M. fiant pilulae, pond. gr. ij. 

Dose. — Six, three times a day. Maerker. 

5t. Ferri carburet, gij. 
Flor. zirjci. 3ss. 
Axung. porcin. 3J. M. 

Mayer. 

Unguentum Ferri Carbureti. 

Ointment of Carburet of Iron. 

?<. Ferri carburet, pur. 

Sulphur, depurat. aa. ^ij. 

Axung. porcin. q. s. ut fiat unguentum. 

Brera. 
1 Merat & De Lens, in Diet, de Mat. Med. Art. Carbone. 



FERRI PR.EPARATA. 179 

Emplastrum Ferri Carbureti. 

Plaster of Carburet of Iron. 

5<. Ferri carburet, depur. ^ij. 
Emplast. sapon. 3iv. 
Misce intime. 

Weinhold. 
V. FERRUM CYANURETUM. 

Synonymes. — Ferri Cyanuretum.F. Cyanogenatum, F. Oxydulatum Hydro- 
cyanicum, F. Borussias, Ferro Sesquicyanidum, F. Percyanidum, Ferro- 
cyanas Oxydi Ferri, Ferri Ferrocyanas, Ferrum Zooticum, F. Borussicum, 
Coeruleum Borussicum, C. Beroliniense, Prussiate of Iron, Cyanuret or 
Iron ; Prussian Blue. 

French. — Trito-hydro-ferro-cyanate de Fer; Deutoxicyanure de Fer Hy- 
drate; Tritohydrocyanate Ferrure de Fer, Prussiate de Potasse et de Fer,. 
Bleu de Prusse. 

German. — Cyaneisen, Blaustoffeisen, Blausaures Eisenoxydul, Eisenblau- 
saures Eisenoxyd, Eisencyanurcyanid, Berliner Blau, Pariser Blau. 

In commerce, this preparation with us bears the name " Prus- 
sian blue," but in Germany it is called "Pariser Blau." It is not 
in a state of purity, and. consequently, that which the apothecary- 
prepares is best adapted for internal use. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

The form given by Buchner is as good as any. The ferrocyanate 
of pofassa, as commonly met with in commerce, is dissolved in warm 
distilled water, and to the clear filtered solution is gradually added,, 
in a glass vessel, a solution of chemically pure sulphate of iron so 
long as a precipitate is thrown down. After the precipitate has 
fallen to the bottom of the vessel, and the supernatant fluid, which 
contains sulphate of potassa, has been poured off, the precipitate is 
first digested with dilute sulphuric or muriatic acid, in order to dis- 
solve the excess of oxide of iron ; the beautiful dark blue precipitate 
is then collected on a filter, carefully washed with boiling water, 
and dried. 

The cyanuret of iron is of a beautiful deep blue colour, and de- 
void of odour and taste. It is decomposed by heat, and is insoluble 
in water, alcohol, ether, oils and dilute acids. Potassa and soda 
decompose it. According to Zollickoffer it adheres firmly to the 
tongue, which Riecke thinks, though erroneously, is owing to its 
containing argil. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Of the effects of the cyanuret of iron on the human economy m 
health we have no evidence. Cotillon gave it to various animals, 
but observed no action from it. It has been given, and not without 



180 dunglison's new remedies. 

success, in several diseases ; and Dr. L. W. Sachs, who has not 
^infrequently administered it, considers it one of the most important 
ohalybeates with which we are acquainted. He thinks it probable, 
that the hydrocyanic acid has not much agency; yet it certainly 
seems to differ from all the other preparations of iron. 

It has been especially recommended in epilepsy by Kirckhoff 1 of 
Ghent. In very obstinate cases, not dependent upon organic mis- 
chief, he succeeded entirely with it ; with the adult he commenced 
with half a grain daily, and raised the dose gradually to three 
four, and even six grains and upwards. When the patient 
-was plethoric, he premised bloodletting, or applied leeches, from 
time to time, to the temples. Hildenbrand and Gergeres confirm 
afe efficacy in epilepsy. 

In intermittent fever Zollickoffer 2 found the cyanuret of iron so 
30cacious, that he even gave it the preference over the cinchona ; 
acd his experience has been confirmed by that of Eberle, 3 Hosack 4 
-and others. Wutzer, in Germany, also exhibited it successfully; 
ana Stosch gave it advantageously, in combination with cinchona 
^and rhubarb, in a case of obstinate intermittent. Sachs likewise 
tried it frequently, but as often without as with success. When it 
has proved efficacious in intermittents the dose has been by no means 
large. Some have given six or eight grains every four hours 
during the apyrexia, and even as much as a scruple has been ad- 
ministered. Sachs found it several times efficacious when four 
>dose& of two grains each were taken. Riecke 5 affirms that his 
father obtained essential service from it in the leucophlegmatic con- 
ditions resulting from intermittent fever. 

Zollickoffer extols the cyanuret also in remittent fever, and there 
may doubtless be periods when it may be administered with benefit, 
but it is not often used. He recommends it also in dysentery, 6 when 
fthe inflammatory condition has passed away, either spontaneously 
or under the efforts of art; and Sachs remarks, that in those atonic 
conditions of the intestinal canal, which supervene on dysentery, it 
may doubtless be of great service. Gergeres administered it suc- 
cessfully in chronic "diarrhoea. L. W. Sachs enters into a long 
theoretical disquisition on the precise action of the remedy, in which 
there is doubtless much that is speculative. He used it, he says, 
with success, in many cases which it would be difficult to classify 
under any formal nosology; their common bond, however, was, 
that they were dependent upon "nervous disorders, especially of the 
plastic functions of the abdominal organs, the mischief appearing 
first of all to be gastric." In such affections, he found a combina- 
tion of the cyanuret of iron with rhubarb especially serviceable. He 

1 Journal de Chimie Medicale, iii. 285. 

2 American Medical Recorder, v. 540. 

* Materia Medica, 2d edit. i. 233. 

4 New York Medical and Physical Journal, 1823. 

5 Op. cit. S. 217. 

* Chapman's Philadelphia Journal, Aug. 1823. 



FERRI PR.3SPARATA. 181 

gave in not less than two grains for a dose, which he gradually- 
augmented to six grains three times a day. Dr. Moll saw decidedly 
good effects from its use in a case of immoderate menstruation from 
atony of the uterus with general elevation of the nervous excitability, 
after he had employed the remedies commonly recommended un- 
successfully. He found it also extremely beneficial to children of 
a strumous habit, and great torpor. 

Stosch found it serviceable in a case of scrofula, in which haema- 
tosis was imperfectly accomplished, and Dr. Bridges 1 found great 
advantage from it in a case of severe and protracted facial neu- 
ralgia. 

Externally, the cyanuret of iron has been used in the form of 
ointment, in cases of ill conditioned, torpid and foul ulcers, and 
even of noli me tangere. Stosch applied it in a case of fungous 
ulcer with marked advantage; forming it into a paste with water 
and applying it in that form. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Pulvis Ferri Cyanureti. 

Powder of Cyanide of Iron. 

ic Ferri cyanuret. gr. iij ad xxxvj. 

Sacchar. alb. £ij. M. et divide in pulveres vj. 

Dose. — A powder two or three times a day, in epilepsy. 

Kirckhoff. 

*. Ferri cyanuret. gr. j, iv, vj ad xij. 
Sacch. alb. 3j. 
Fiat pulvis, in partes xij aequales dividendus. 

Dose. — A powder every two hours, in epilepsy. 

HlLDENBRAND. 

£. Ferri cyanuret. 

Pulv. gnaiac. aa. 3j. 
Misce et divide in chartulas xij. 

Dose. — One three times a day. — Employed successfully in inter- 
mi ttents. 2 

PUuIcb Ferri Cyanureti. 

Pills of Cyanide of Iron. 

*. Gum. amnion. 
Rad. rhei, 

Ext. taraxac. aa. £j. 
Ferri cyanuret. gr. xviij ad xxxvj. 
M. et fiatmassa in pilulas lxdividenda. 

Dose. — Four to six, twice a day, in disorder of the ganglionic 
system. Radius, according to L. W. Sachs. 

1 Wood & Bache's Dispensatory, Art. Ferri Ferrocyanas. 
* Ellis's Formulary, 5th edit. p. 161. Philad. 1838. 



182 dunglison's new remedies. 

Unguentum Ferri Cyanureti. 
Ointment of Cyanide of Iron. 

B<. Ferri cyanuret. 3j. 

Unguent, cetacei, ^j. M. et fiat unguentum. 

Applied to foul ulcers. 

VI. FERRUM IODATUM. 

Synonymes. — Ferri Iodidum, Ferri Toduietum, Iodated Iron, Iodide of Iron, 

Ioduret of Iron, Protoioduret or Protoiodide of Iron. 
French. — Iodure de Fer, Protoiodure de Fer. 
German. — Iodeisen. 



FERRUM HYDRIODATUM. 

Synonymes. — Ferri Hydriodas, Ferrum Hydroiodicum Oxydulatum, Hydrio- 

dated Iron, Hydriodate of Iron, Hydriodate of Protoxide of Iron. 
French. — Hydriodate de Fer. 
German. — Hydriodsaures Eisenoxydul. 

Although attention had been directed, several years ago, to this 
preparation, it was not much used, until Prof. A. T. Thomson, 1 of 
the London University, recommended it strongly in a special 
monograph a few years since. It has been lately received into the 
London Pharmacopoeia. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

The following method is recommended by Dr. Thomson. One 
part of iron wire should be rubbed in a porcelain or wedgwood 
mortar, with about three or four parts of iodine, gradually adding 
distilled water, until fifteen parts of the fluid have been used : the 
whole is then to be introduced into a Florence flask, with an addi- 
tional portion of wire and of distilled water. This excess of iron 
is a matter of indifference in the preparation of the hydriodate, and 
in that of the iodide it is necessary for preserving the combination 
from decomposition during the evaporation of the solution. These 
materials are next to be boiled together, until the fluid acquires a 
pale greenish colour, when it must be filtered. This solution con- 
tains a hydriodate of the protoxide of iron; and, if the exact quan- 
tity of the iodine be previously ascertained, so as to enable us to 
procure the solution of a definite strength, it may be kept in this 
state for medicinal use. In general, however, the solution is evapo- 
rated to dryness, and for this purpose it may be poured into a clean 
flask, containing a piece of iron wire sufficiently long to reach from 

1 Some observations on the preparation and medicinal employment of the 
Ioduret and Hydriodate of Iron, 8vo. pp. 64. Lond. 1834. 



FERRI PRiEPARATA. 183 

the bottom to the surface of the fluid, and the boiling should be 
continued until the bulk of the solution be reduced to one third. 
It must then be filtered, after which the evaporation should be con- 
tinued to dryness. It is necessary to break the flask as soon as the 
mass is cold, in order to obtain the solid iodide, which should be 
immediately transferred to a dry bottle, accurately fitted with a 
ground stopper. The bottle should not hold more than two ounces 
of the preparation ; for when it is large and not full, the iodide 
deliquesces nearly as rapidly as when it is exposed to the free action 
of the atmosphere. When the flask is broken, and the iodide bot- 
tled before the mass is cold, deliquescence also takes place, a 
peroxide of the metal is formed, and iodine is evolved. 

The plan proposed by Mr. Durand, 1 of Philadelphia, after that 
by MM. Baup and Caillot, 2 for preparing the solution of the proto- 
iodide of iron (hydriodate of protoxide of iron) is the following : — 

Take of iodine 3x, iron filings, perfectly pure and unoxidised, 
3v, distilled water gxiiss. Put the iodine into a porcelain capsule, 
with one half the quantity of water, add the iron filings by small 
portions, stirring the mixture with a glass rod. The combination 
soon takes place ; heat is evolved with the disengagement of a small 
quantity of vapour of iodine, and the mixture acquires an orange 
colour, which gradually deepens to a dark red. When the whole 
of the iron has been added, the capsule is put in a sand bath or 
over the flame of a spirit lamp and heated slowly; continuing to 
stir the liquid. An iodureted hydriodate of iron is first produced, 
which, under the action of heat, soon passes to the state of a simple 
hydriodate. This point is indicated by the entire discoloration of 
the solution. In this state it is filtered ; and the dregs and filter 
are carefully washed with the remaining half of the distilled water, 
previously heated to the boiling point. In this manner, a solution 
forming twelve and a half fluid ounces is afforded, one ounce of 
which represents one dram of iodide of iron. 

The solution, which is at first colourless, acquires a deep red 
colour by standing, and precipitates some oxide of iron ; by which 
it is reduced to the state of an iodureted hydriodate of iron ; but it 
may be easily restored to its former state by heating it again with a 
small quantity of iron filings, until the liquid becomes colourless. 

The iodide of iron is obtained by evaporating to dryness the fil- 
tered solution, taking care, towards the end, to stir incessantly with 
an iron spatula, and to detach the salt from the bottom of the cap- 
sule as it forms. The heat must be managed most carefully, 
diminishing it gradually, and removing the capsule quickly from 
the fire as soon as the odour of iodine is evolved. The solution of 
this salt, when the iodide is well prepared, is of a light orange 
colour, and deeper in proportion to the decomposition which some 
parts may have undergone towards the end of the operation. 

1 Philad. Joum. of Pharmacy, iv. 287. Philad. 1833. 
* Ibid, i. 201. 



184 dunglison's new remedies. 

The iodide requires to be well secured from the influence of the 
atmosphere, both on account of its deliquescent property, the rapid 
oxidation which the metal undergoes when deliquescence occurs, 
and the consequent decomposition which takes place. It is im- 
portant to prevent this, as the peroxide of iron is inert as a medi- 
cinal agent ; whilst the free iodine extricated during its operation, 
according to Dr. Thomson, alters altogether the virtues of the 
medicine. This partial decomposition of the iodide is rendered 
immediately apparent on dissolving it in twenty times its weight 
of distilled water, and filtering: instead of a permanent, clear, very- 
pale greenish yellow, we obtain an ochre-coloured, completely in- 
soluble precipitate. Much of the iodide, usually prepared, is of 
this description, and to this may, doubtless, be referred some of the 
disappointment and discrepancy amongst practitioners as to the 
operation of the medicine in cases apparently similar. Even when 
the iodide has been carefully prepared, it often contains a little 
free iodine ; but, according to Thomson, it is chiefly owing to the 
carelessness of assistants and apprentices in compounding prescrip- 
tions, by frequently exposing the iodide to the air, that its proper- 
ties, and, consequently, its medicinal powers, are impaired : hence, 
it is preferable to keep it in solution, or in the form of hydriodate, 
which it becomes, whenever water is added to it. 

If the solution be prepared with a definite quantity of iodine, r 
described, it will keep without changing its characters ; but as it 
usually made, by dissolving the iodide in distilled water, it require 
to be rendered neutral by the following means : — Introduce into 
flask the solution of any given strength, and place in it two o 
three doubles of clean and soft iron wire, sufficiently long to ex- 
tend to the surface of the fluid ; boil it for a few minutes, and then 
leave it at rest, until the solution becomes clear, after which it may 
be either decanted off from the precipitate which forms, or filtered : 
no farther change takes place in a solution thus treated, provided 
it be kept in a blackened or a green bottle, however long it may be 
preserved. In this process, the wire affords iron to saturate any 
free iodine present in the solution, or that may have been extri- 
cated by the formation of the peroxide of iron in the iodide ; and a 
perfectly neutral solution being thus obtained, by the immediate 
conversion of the newly formed iodide into the hydriodate of the 
protoxide, no subsequent change takes place so long as the solution 
is kept secluded from the light. The best proportions, according 
to Dr. Thomson, for forming the medicinal solution, are three 
grains of the dry solid iodide to each fluidram of distilled water. 
If the water be not either distilled or filtered rain water, perfectly 
free from foreign ingredients, and particularly if it contain any 
earthy or saline carbonates, decomposition instantly takes place, 
iodine is extricated, and a carbonate of iron, which rapidly passes 
into the state of a peroxide of that metal, is precipitated. 

When iodide of iron is carefully prepared, it is of an iron gray 
colour, foliated texture, brittle, and exhibits a crystalline arrange- 



FERRI PR.EPARATA. 185 

merit similar to metallic antimony, except that it is darker. In the 
dry state, it is inodorous ; but, when moist, it smells somewhat of 
iodine : the taste, when dry, is simply styptic ; when moist, some- 
what acrid, before it impresses the gustatory organs. At 350° of 
Fahrenheit it fuses ; and, at a higher temperature, is decom- 
posed, — the iodine being volatilised, and the iron remaining in the 
state of oxide. It dissolves in all proportions in water, — the 
changes supervening, which have been already indicated. It is 
decomposed by chlorine, the mineral acids, oxide of arsenic, me- 
conic acid — consequently by opium and laudanum — gallic acid, 
and tannin, the pure and carbonated alkalies, different metallic 
salts, and by the infusions of digitalis, belladonna, hyoscyamus, 
tobacco, amylaceous substances, &c: such substances ought not, 
therefore, to be given in combination with it. 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

From experiments made on his own person, Dr. Thomson states 
the following to be the physiological effects of the hydriodate of 
iron. 

When taken in doses of from three to five grains, it makes no 
sensible impression on the stomach, although it sharpens the appe- 
tite, and improves the digestive function: it seems to stimulate 
moderately the digestive canal through its entire length ; for it 
opens the bowels ; and, whilst it produces the black colour of the 
alvine discharges characteristic of all the preparations of iron, it 
corrects their foetor. When it does not affect the bowels, it aug- 
ments the action of the kidneys, increasing the flow of urine ; and 
if the solution be taken two or three times a day, for several days 
successively, the presence of both the iodine and the iron can be 
readily detected in the urine. The temperature of the skin is mo- 
derately elevated, and the insensible perspiration increased. On 
one occasion, having taken ten grains for a dose, it almost imme- 
diately caused an uneasy sensation at the epigastrium, accompanied 
with nausea that continued for several hours, and a slight degree 
of headach. These symptoms were relieved by a copious evacua- 
tion, which was perfectly black. Two hours after taking the me- 
dicine, a large quantity of urine was discharged ; which, on being 
tested, displayed the presence of both the iodine and the iron. 

The experiments on animals, made by Dr. Cogswell, 1 induced 
him to infer : — 

1. That the iodide of iron acts as a local stimulant, possessing 
the power of effecting peculiar disorganisation. 

2. That its action is more particularly directed to the tract of 
the alimentary canal. 

1 Essay on Iodine, p. 132. Edinb. 1837. 



186 dunglison's new remedies. 

When added to blood out of the body, the iodide of iron pro- 
motes its coagulation. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

From the chemical composition of the iodide of iron, Dr. Thom- 
son considered it might be specially adapted for cases in which 
augmented activity of the capillary, or intermediate system, with a 
tonic effect, might be indicated, and particularly in scrofulous affec- 
tions, tabes mesenterica, chlorosis, incipient scirrhus, rickets, ame- 
norrhcea, bronchocele, atonic dyspepsia, — indeed, in all cases ac- 
companied by debility. In such affections, he conceives the iodide 
will act more efficiently than any of the other preparations of iron. 
In secondary syphilis, it may be combined, he suggests, with 
iodide of potassium ; and in incipient cancer, its efficacy, is aided 
by the administration of arsenic at the same time. Dr. Thomson 
has found it serviceable in atonic gastric dyspepsia, when com- 
bined with bicarbonate of potassa, and taken at the moment of ad- 
mixture, in the dose of from three to eight grains or more. 2 A 
great advantage it possesses is its ready solubility, owing to which 
it can enter the circulatory system with facility, and modify the 
condition of the fluids. In chronic scrofulous cases, it produces 
all the good effects of the preparations of iron, without any of the 
concomitant and subsequent symptoms that are so apt to super- 
vene, especially in impressible individuals. Where the case is 
accompanied by vascular erethism, or fulness, they must be re- 
duced before the iodide can be esteemed appropriate. In chlorosis, 
occurring in strumous habits, it has been found most serviceable. 
Its efficacy in cancer is elucidated by Dr. Thomson, by the de- 
tails of a case of scirrhous mamma, which, after protracted and 
fruitless treatment by other agents — as by other preparations of 
iron combined with conium — ultimately yielded to a combination 
of the hydriodate of iron and conium. 

Some cases are also detailed in which the hydriodate of iron was 
very effective in removing old syphilitic affections, especially of the 
skin. 

Prior to the publication of Thomson, Pierquin had given the 
iodide in cases of leucorrhoea and amenorrhea, and Eager 3 had re- 
commended it in scrofula. Ricord 4 found the very best effects 
from its internal use in cases where tonics required to be combined 
with antisyphilitic remedies, especially where any scrofulous vice 
(lymphatisme) constituted a complication. He administered it like- 

1 Magendie, Lecons sur le Sang, &c. 1837; and translation in the Lancet, 
Jan. 26, 1839. 

2 London Dispensatory, and Brande's Dictionary of Mat. Med. p. 252. 
Lond. 1839. 

3 Dublin Journal of Medical Science, 1834; also, Cogswell on Iodine, p. 
138, Edinb. 1837. 

4 J. J. L. Rattier, in La Lancette Franchise, Fev. 4, 1837. 



FERRI PR^EPARATA. 187 

wise with great success, to remove the consequences of syphilis, 
and found it advantageous in atonic ulcers of the legs and in 
spreading ulcers of the throat, which had been aggravated or had 
not yielded to mercury. The strength of M. Ricord's solution was 
half a dram of the iodide to §viij of water, given, we presume, in 
the twenty-four hours. 

M. Ricord 1 also uses it in the form of injection in cases of blen- 
norrhcea. Wherever, indeed, tonic astringent injections are needed, 
the iodide, in his opinion, should occupy the first rank. Its use, he 
thinks, can only be contra-indicated when there is much inflam- 
mation or pain in passing the urine, or when cystitis exists. The 
strength of the injection should be three grains to the ounce of 
water. 

In consequence of its promoting the coagulation of the blood out 
of the body, Magendie 2 prescribed it recently in the form of injec- 
tion (3i to ft>ij of water) employed several times a day in a case of 
severe uterine hemorrhage. The hemorrhage ceased. 

We have frequently given this remedy in public and private 
practice, and have considered it especially adapted for those cases 
in which there appears to be torpor in the system of nutrition, as 
in cases of asthenic dropsy, old visceral engorgements, and indeed 
of hypertrophy of any kind, accompanied by deficient action in the 
intermediate system of vessels. In oligsemia, where there is 
paucity of red globules in the blood, and the fluid is altogether 
too thin, it would seem to be especially indicated, from its property, 
mentioned above, of promoting the coagulating of the blood, and 
therefore, of inspissating it. Hence in all cases of scorbutic, hy- 
dropic and other dyscrasies, and in hemorrhages occurring in such 
pathological conditions of the system, we have prescribed it largely 
and with the very best effects. It appears to us, indeed, to be 
the best remedy we possess wherever a sorbeficient and tonic are 
indicated. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The dose of the iodide of iron, administered in the cases above 
referred to, was generally three or four grains two or three times 
a day. 

Liquor Ferri Iodldi. 

Solution of Iodide of Iron. 

fy. Ferri iodidi, gr. xxiv. 
Aquse destillat. sj. M. 

Dose. — An ordinary tea-spoonful contains about three grains. 

A. T. Thomson. 

1 J. J. L. Rattier, in La Lancette Franchise, Fev. 16, 1S37; see, also, 
Revue Medicale, Janvier, 1838. and American Med. Intelligencer, Sep. 15, 
1838, p. 195. 

1 Op. cit. 



188 dunglison's new remedies. 

The following formulae are recommended by Pierquin :* 

Vinum Ferri Iodidi. 

Wine of Iodide of Iron. 

9<. Vin. Bordegalens. B5j. 
Ferri iodidi, gss. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful morning and evening. 

Tinctura Ferri Iodidi. 

Tincture of Iodide of Iron. 

5;. Feni iodidi, Sfij. 
Alcoholis, 
Aquae, aa. §ij. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful morning and evening. 

Trochisci Ferri Iodidi. 

Lozenges of Iodide of Iron. 

5<. Ferri iodidi, 3J. (^ss.) 
Croci pulv. gss. (jjij.) 
Sacchar. alb. gviij. (|iv.) 
M. fiant Trochisci No. 240, (120.) 

Dose. — Six to ten daily. 

Solutio Ferri Iodidi. (French, Eau dHHydriodate de Fer.) 

Solution of Iodide of Iron. 

5<. Ferri iodidi, ^ss. 
Aquae, Ibij. M. 

Added to enemata, lotions, and injections. 

B<. Ferri iodidi, ^ss ad £ij. 
Aquae destillat. ffij. M. 

To be added to a general bath in cases of leucorrhosa, ame- 
non-ncea, &c. Pierquin. 

Unguentum Ferri Iodidi. 

Ointment of Iodide of Iron. 

9c. Ferri iodidi, 3i ss - 

Adipis suillae, |j. M. ul fiat unguentum. 

A piece of the size of a hazelnut to be rubbed, morning and 
evening, on the inner part of the thigh, in cases of leucorrhoea and 
amenorrhoea. 

1 Journal de Chimie Medicale, p. 310, Mai, 1831. 



FERItl PR^EPARATA. 189 



VII. FERRUM NITRATUM. 

Synonymes.— Ferri Nitras, Nitrate of Iron. 

LiaUOR FERRI PERSESQUINITRATIS. 

Synonymes. — Liquor seu Solutio Nitratis Ferri, Liquoi Ferri Nitrici Oxy • 
dati, Solution of Persesquinitrate of Iron, Solution of Nitrate of Iron. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

This preparation, which has been introduced within the last few 
years into practice, may be formed in the following manner. 

Take of small chips or pieces of iron wire, an ounce and a half; 
nitric acid, three ounces by measure; water twenty-seven ounces; 
muriatic acid, one dram. Put the iron info an earthenware vessel, 
and pour on the nitric acid, previously diluted with fifteen ounces 
of the water. Set the vessel aside till the whole of the acid has 
united with the iron, so as to form a persesquinitrate, then decant 
the liquid from the portion of iron, which remains undissolved; 
strain and filter. Add the muriatic acid with the remainder of the. 
water, or with as much of that liquid as will increase the whole 
solution to thirty ounces. 

When the process is finished — which takes some hours — the 
liquid has a red colour, so dark, that when viewed by reflected 
light, it seems almost black. 

Three ounces of nitric acid of the usual strength (1.4) generally 
dissolve an ounce of iron, so that when the process is completed, a 
portion of the metal remains undissolved. The solution then con- 
sists entirely of the persesquinitrate of iron ; and, if speedily de- 
canted, it may be preserved in that state, but if allowed to stand 
for a few hours longer on the iron, it will undergo a further 
change, becoming gradually converted into pernitrate and pro- 
tonitrate of iron. The first of these is insoluble, and renders the 
liquid turbid ; and the latter, which remains dissolved, has not the 
medical properties that render the persesquinitrate valuable. When 
the solution contains nothing but nitric acid and peroxide of iron, 
it slowly undergoes decomposition on standing, so that, at the end 
of a few weeks, the whole liquid begins to become turbid. The 
addition of some muriatic acid prevents this decomposition, and the 
quantity sufficient for this purpose is too small to affect the medi- 
cinal powers of the persesquinitrate. The solution, when properly 
prepared, is of a beautiful dark red colour, when viewed with 
transmitted light. Its taste is very astringent, and not at all 
caustic. 1 



• Mr. Kerr, in American Journal of the Medical Sciences, for May, 1832, 
cited from Edinb. Med. and Surgical Journal. 



190 uunglison's new remedies. 

effects on the economy in health. 

This preparation greatly resembles the solution of the muriate of 
iron in its medicinal properties. Mr. Kerr considers, that to an 
astringent power, it unites the property of diminishing the irrita- 
bility and tenderness of the mucous membranes with which it 
comes in contact. 

Kopp administered it with the Greatest success in many cases 
of chronic diarrhoea that had resisted every approved remedy. 
The fasces were blackened by it, as by the preparations of iron in 
general. He remarks, however, that it must be continued for some 
time. The dose he gave was ten drops several times a day in 
oatmeal gruel, and this was gradually raised to twenty and twenty- 
five drops. When the cure was accomplished, the remedy was 
gradually diminished, until it was left off altogether. 

Dr. Graves 1 speaks in equally high terms of the persesquinitrate 
in these cases ; and very recently Dr. T. C. Adam of Lenawee 
county, Michigan, has recorded the remarkable assistance, which he 
has derived from its use in the treatment of several diseases, espe- 
cially diarrhoea, and other affections of the mucous membranes 
accompanied by discharges. 2 In chronic diarrhoea depending 
mainly on an excess in the sensibility of the organic nerves which 
supply the digestive tube, Dr. Adam rarely orders less than fifteen 
drops at the commencement, and after a few days' employment of 
the remedy, he increases the quantity to twenty, twenty-five and 
thirty drops. 

In leucorrhcea occurring in such as are pale, exanguious, feeble 
and languid, the internal, conjoined with the external, use of the 
persesquinitrate has been found very advantageous. In these cases, 
Dr. Adam adds such a quantity of water as a diluent as will still 
leave in the vagina a gentle degree of heat or smarting. 

Dr. Adam recommends it also in cases of aphthous sores; and 
he affirms that its application has afforded relief in toothach. 

It is doubtless a powerful astringent, but it is questionable 
whether it possess any advantage over the solution of the muriate 
of iron. 

VIII. FERRUM OXYDATUM HYDRATUM. 

Synonymes. — Hydras Ferricus, Hydro-oxide of Iron, Hydroxide of Iron, 
Hydrated Oxide of Iron, Hydrated Peroxide of Iron, Hydraled Tritoxide 
of Iron. 

German. — Eisenoxydhydrat. 

The hydrated oxide of iron has been recently introduced into 
practice as an antidote to white arsenic. Dr. Bunsen, of Goettingen, 
had already made frequent experiments with it, which satisfied 

1 Clinical Lectures, Amer.Med. Library Edition, p. 128. Philad. 1838. 

2 American Journal of the Medical Sciences, May, 1839, p. 61. 



FERRI PR^PARATA. 191 

him that it was an efficacious agent, when, along with Di. Ber- 
thold, 1 he subjected it to fresh trials. The results of their inves- 
tigations were published, and since then it has received due atten- 
tion every where. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The best mode of preparing it, according to Dr. Bunsen, is to 
take a solution of pure sulphate of iron, increase its dose of oxygen 
by treating it with nitric acid, and precipitate the oxide by adding 
pure ammonia in excess, washing the precipitate. In order not to 
deprive the precipitate of its water, and to diminish its loose state 
of aggregation as little as possible, it is not filtered, but is put 
aside for a few days, until the precipitate is wholly deposited, after 
which the supernatant fluid is poured off. It is then kept in well- 
stopped vessels. 

Riecke 2 has added the formula for pharmaciens, which is recom- 
mended by Von Specz. 

£. Vitrioli ferri puri crystallizati libram ; teratur in pulv. subliliss. et 
detur in vas. porcellan. aut murrhinum, impositum balneo arenas, dein adde 
acidi nilrici concentrati Bss ; terantur ope baculi vitrei usque dum massa 
resolvitur in pultem ; nunc, igne animate-, massae pultacese calidae affunde 
sensim terendo, sensim acid, nitric, concentrat. q. s. donee nullum amplius 
evolvatur gas nitrosum. Massa tunc leni igne evaporetur ad siccitatem 
et solvatur demum in aq. destill. q. s. ; solutioni filtratse instilletur am- 
monia -puree q. s. donee precipitatio cesset ; stent nunc per horam unam 
alteramve et liquor limpidus a sedimento bruneo decantetur; massae resi- 
du32 f'undum petenti adfunde aq. destillat. ftiij et agitentur; nunc filtra, 
et prsecipitatum in filtro aq. destill. q. s. edulcora donee aqua insipida de- 
fluat. Preecipitatum bene edulcoratum in umbra siccatum convertat. in 
pulv. subtilissim. qui servetur base vitreo bene clauso. 3 

Lassaigne advises it to be prepared as follows: — Take iron 
filings; pour gradually upon them four times their weight of the 
nitric acid of commerce in small portions. Heat is thereby de- 

1 Das Eisenoxydhydrat, ein Gegengift der arsenigen Saure. Gutting. 
1834. 

2 Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 227. Stuttgart, 1837. 

3 " Take of pure crystallised sulphate of iron a pound : rub it into a subtle 
powder, and place it in a porcelain or glass vessel in a sand-bath; then add 
half a pound of concentrated nitric acid ; stir them with a glass rod until 
the mass is resolved into a soft paste; then — the fire being raised — pour 
gradually on the hot pultaceous mass concentrated nitric arid, until no more 
nitrous gas is evolved. Let the mass be evaporated by a gentle heat to dry- 
ness, and at last be dissolved in a sufficient quantity of distilled water. 
Into the filtered solution drop/wre ammonia as long as any precipitate oc- 
curs; let it now stand for an hour or two, and then pour off the limpid 
liquor from the brown sediment. On the residuary mass, remaining at the 
bottom, pour three pounds of distilled water, and shake them together: filter 
and wash the precipitate on the filter with distilled water, until the water 
is tasteless. The well-washed precipitate dried in the shade forms a subtle 
powder, which may be kept in a well-closed vessel." 



192 dunglison's new remedies. 

veloped, and deutoxide of azote, which is transformed by the 
atmospheric air into nitrous acid vapours. When the evolution of 
gas has ceased, ten or twelve parts of water are added ; the mix- 
ture is then filtered, and ammonia added until the mixture begins 
to exhibit an alkaline reaction. The precipitate, thus formed, is 
the hydrated oxide of iron, which is collected on the filter, and 
washed with boiling water until it is tasteless, and ceases to exhibit 
any alkaline characters. 

The mode of preparation, recommended by Majeste, agrees with 
this, except that he boils one part of iron filings with four of nitric 
acid and four of muriatic acid. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

If a solution of arsenious acid be decomposed by fresh precipi- 
tated oxyhydrate of iron suspended in water, traces of arsenic can 
no longer be detected in the filtered liquid, made acid and tested by 
a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen gas. To throw down one part 
of arsenic, in this manner, requires a quantity of the oxyhydrate, 
which contains at least ten or twelve parts of oxide of iron. Yet, 
even where a smaller quantity is employed, the arsenious acid is 
almost wholly separated, as a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen gas 
affords only very slight traces of sulphuret of arsenic in the filtered 
and acidulated liquid. When the substances are previously heated, 
or the arsenious acid is exposed in small portions to the precipi- 
tating agent, the reaction is still slighter. If a few drops of am- 
monia be added to water in which the oxyhydrate of iron is sus- 
pended, and the mixture be digested with finely powdered arsenious 
acid, an insoluble arsenite of iron is formed ; a circumstance, 
which would encourage the belief— even had it not been sanc- 
tioned by experience — that freshly prepared oxyhydrate of iron 
may serve as an antidote to arsenic : the union between it and 
arsenious acid forming — as we have seen — an insoluble compound, 
devoid of all poisonous influence on the economy, and only ex- 
citing gastric oppression, when given iti large doses. 

Accurate microscopical investigation in the experiments on ani- 
mals that had taken arsenious acid in the solid form mixed with 
the oxyhydrate, exhibited to the discoverer of the antidote, that, 
under the influence of the animal heat and the peristaltic motion, 
it had become completely converted into the arsenite of iron, and 
thus rendered innocuous. Such was the result of the observations 
of Boulet, 1 Orfila, Chevalier, Lassaigne, Soubeiran & Miquel, 2 
Nonat, Borelli & Demaria, 3 Lesueur, Boulay fils, 4 Mo nod 5 , and 

1 Gazette Medicale de Paris, 1834. 

* Bullet. General de Therap. Dec. 1834. 
3 Br. and For. Med. April, 1836, p. 594. 

* Journal Hebdom. des Progres des Sciences Medic. Mars 14, 1835. 

6 Gazette Medicale, Aug. 22, 1835, and Annales d'Hygiene, &c. xiv. 134. 



FERRI PRiEPARATA. 193 

Specs. On the other hand, the experiments of Brett, 1 Reginald 
Orton, 2 and Cramer, were unfavourable; but Messrs. Bnnsen and 
Berthold remark, that the experiments of those gentlemen cuuld 
not be expected to be successful, as they were made with doses of 
arsenic of from two to nine grains ; and the stomach of the rabbit 
cannot retain more than from one-ninlh to one-half the quantity of 
the antidote prepared according to their formula, which is neces- 
sary to neutralise that quantity of the poison. 

Messrs. Bunsen and Berthold, from the results they have ob- 
tained, recommend the oxyhydrate as the chief antidote in all 
cases of poisoning by arsenic; and they advise emetics to be asso-. 
ciated with it — along .with the agents hitherto employed— first, 
when the quantity of the poison taken has been considerable, and, 
therefore, a very large quantity of the antidote is demanded; 
secondly, when, at the same time, substances containing tannin, as 
infusion of green* tea, or sulphuretted hydrogen, developed after 
the eating of eggs, may be suspected in the alimentary canal ; as 
these substances are closely related to the antidote, and may weaken 
its action ; and, thirdly, when, prior to taking the poison, the 
stomach has been overloaded with food, and is, therefore, capable 
of receiving only a small quantity of the antidote. 

But, whether vomiting may be excited or not, recourse must be 
had to the oxyhydrate as speedily as possible. Tepid mucilaginous 
drinks may also be given to envelope the particles of arsenic that 
may exist in the compartments of the stomach. If the quantity of 
the poison taken be unknown, the antidote may be administered in 
a considerable dose, and if the patient should vomit, it may be ex- 
hibited afterwards in smaller quantity. But, if no vomiting should 
arise, it is recommended that he should continue to take the 
oxyhydrate until the arsenite of iron formed has had time to pass 
into the intestinal tube; and even after this it may be persevered 
with in small doses for a time, as portions of arsenic may possibly 
remain behind unchanged. With the same view, the oxyhydrate 
may be thrown up in the way of clyster, whenever it is presumable 
that the compound formed by the oxyhydrate and the arsenic has 
reached the lower portion of the bowels. To aid this, cathartics 
may be administered. Of these, castor oil, which would first sug- 
gest itself, might interfere, it has been conceived, with the opera- 
tion of the. antidote. The sulphate of magnesia, or any of the 
neutral salts, should have the preference. 

The antidote may be given suspended in water. Experience 
has shown Messrs. Bunsen and Berthold, that from ten to twenty 
parts of the hydrated oxide of iron are more than sufficient to 
convert one part of arsenious acid into the basic salt of iron. 

As the quantity of arsenic in the stomach and intestines can 

1 Lond. Med. Gaz. xv. 220. 

2 Lancet, Nov. 8, 1334. 

9-a dungl 13 



194 dunglison's new remedies. 

scarcely ever be appreciated, it is considered by them advisable to 
allow the patient to take as large doses of. the oxyhydrate as the 
stomach can tolerate ; and it is of essential importance that it 
should be taken as hot as it can be borne. When the arsenious 
acid has been swallowed in the undissolved state — in the form of 
powder, or in larger or smaller pieces — it is necessary, in order to 
aid its solution, and to effect a speedy union with the oxide of 
iron, to add a small quantity of pure ammonia to the antidote, until 
a slight alkaline reaction is evinced. As the ammonia does not 
enter into the composition of the salt formed, and, consequently, 
only plays a secondary part, ten or twenty drops may be sufficient 
for the purpose. 

The various experiments that have been instituted on animals 
have shown the protective power of the hydrate'd peroxide; it must 
be borne in mind, however, in all such experiments made on dogs, 
that they readily reject the poison by vomiting ; but if the poison be 
retained in the stomach by a ligature passed round the oesophagus, 
it exerts its accustomed deleterious effects. 1 It would seem, also, 
that the same result occurs if the dose of the arsenic be too small to 
induce vomiting. The animal may then die of the poison. 2 

It would appear, that cases have occurred, in which this anti- 
dote has saved the lives of some who might have been destroyed 
without its agency. Buzorini 3 had a case in which about thirty- 
five grains of arsenic had been swallowed, and where it was suc- 
cessful, although twenty-four hours had elapsed since the poison 
had been taken ; but this cannot be regarded as very satisfactory, 
inasmuch as the patient might probably have been saved by ordi- 
nary means. In another case, which was also treated by the 
antidote at a late period, marked alleviation of the sufferings was 
induced. Three cases are, also, related by Majeste, two by Bineau, 4 
one by Benoist, and one by Geoflroy, 5 of Paris, which were 
treated successfully in the same manner. The subject of the 
last was a hair-dresser, thirty-five years of age, who, in a pa- 
roxysm of delirium tremens, swallowed a dram and a half of 
arsenic. Half an hour afterwards the antidote was given, sus- 
pended in water. He drank, in twelve hours, all the tritoxide 
produced by the decomposition of five ounces and five drams of 
the tritosulphate of iron. He had no violent colic ; and, twenty- 
four hours afterwards, experienced scarcely any uneasiness. 

1 MM. Miquel and Soubeirain, Bullet. General de Therapeutique, Dec. 
1834. See on this subject, Dr. Joseph E. Muse, in Amer. Med. Intelligencer, 
for April 2, 1838. 

2 Dr. Robert B. Hall, in Amer. Med. Intelligencer, for Sept. 15, 1838, p. 
181. 

3 La Lancette Francoise, Nov. 17, 1835. 

4 Journal des Connaissances Medico-Chirurg. Nov. 1835. 

5 Journal de Med. et de Chirurg. Pratiq. Sept. 1835; and Br. and For. 
Med. Rev. April, 1836, p. 572. 



FERRI PR^EPARATA. 195 

A successful case has, also, been related by Mr. John Robson, 
house surgeon to the Warrington Dispensary. 1 

Dr. Richard H. Thomas, of Baltimore, 2 has published a case, in 
which it was believed that twenty grains of arsenic had been 
taken, and which was relieved by the hydrated peroxide, adminis- 
tered six hours after the poison was swallowed: there was no vo- 
miting ; but thirst, burning pain, and exquisite tenderness at the 
epigastrium existed, denoting eso-gastritis. Half a fluid ounce of 
the hydrate, which was in the wet state, and about the consistence 
of thick cream, was given in a tumbler of cool water, and the dose 
was directed to be repeated every ten or fifteen minutes in two 
ounces of water : eight ounces of the suspended hydrate were 
taken in the twenty-four hours, after which «the patient seemed free 
from disease. " The length of time — six hours" — says Dr. Thomas, 
"before any very severe symptoms supervened, and before the 
antidote was administered, at first caused me to think that the pa- 
tient might have been deceived. Professor Von Specs, of Vienna, 
however, asserts, 'that a dram of arsenic, in powder, does not pro- 
duce its deadly effects on the system in less than six or eight hours, 
while the same quantity, dissolved in warm water, destroys life in 
a much shorter time.' In the present instance, it was swallowed 
in a dry state, covered with sugar. The prompt relief, which fol- 
lowed the exhibition of the peroxide, is also confirmatory of the 
impression that the poison was really taken." 

More recently, a case has been published by Dr. Deville, 3 .which 
was treated by this remedy, but as the patient vomited much, and 
the vomited matters were not examined, it is doubtful what was 
the agency of the oxide. Between five and six hours elapsed be- 
fore it could be procured. 

It has been recommended by Meuser, Riecke, and others, that 
the hydrated peroxide should be kept in the shops, ready mixed 
with a definite quantity of water, in order that it may be always 
at hand, so as to be administered without delay ; and the recom- 
mendation is good. Even if not to be trusted to alone, the evi- 
dence is quite sufficient to show, that it ought to be regarded as an 
important element in the treatment of every case in which arsenic 
has been taken. 

Instead of the pure hydrated peroxide, Von Specs 4 employed sub- 
stances in which the peroxide is known to exist in considerable quan- 
tity, and which require no previous preparation, as rust of iron, and 

1 Lond. Med. Gazette, Nov. 5, 1836; also, Amer. Joum. of the Med. Sci- 
ences, p. 222, May, 1837. 

2 Ameriean Medical Intelligencer for July 16, 1838, p. 167. 

3 Revue Medicale Franc, et Etrangere, Sept. 1838 ; see, also, Br. and For. 
Med. Rev., and Johnson's Medico-Chirurgical Review for April, 1839; and 
American Journal of the Medical Sciences, May, 1839, p. 243. 

4 Med. Jahrbiicher des k. k. o. St. B. xix. S. 621. Wien, 1836 ; and Ibid. 
B. xx. S. 149. Wien, 1836. See, also, Br. and For. Med. Rev., July, 1837, 
p. 237; and Amer. Journ. Med. Sciences, Feb. 1838, p. 519. 



196 dunglison's new remedies. 

haematite, (red iron ore,) and, from his experiments, he is led to 
conclude, that although these substances do not prevent all the bad 
effects of arsenic on the system, they may — in the absence of the 
hydrated peroxide — be employed as antidotes to that poison. The 
rust of iron has the advantage of being readily procurable. 



FILIX MAS. 

Synonymes. Aspidiura Filix Mas, Athyrium Filix Mas, Polypodium Filix 

Mas, Ma e Fern. 
French. Fougere Male. 
German. Farrenkraut, Johanniswurzel. 

The root of the male fern has Ions' been celebrated — since 
Dioscorides indeed — as an anthelmintic ; and especially for the 
destruction of taenia. 1 For these properties, it has been introduced 
into most of the Pharmacopoeias. It was the basis of Madame Nouffer's 
celebrated remedy for taenia, which was purchased by Louis XVI. 
in 1775, for 18,000 francs. We notice it here, on account of the 
proposition of Peschier, 2 of Geneva, to administer the ethereal 
extract, which has since been carried into effect, and apparently 
with the best results. It appears to possess the advantage of being 
by no means unpleasant to the taste, and to be accompanied by 
none of the disagreeable effec;s, that are associated with the action 
of most of the other vermifuges. 

To prepare the extract, the root is cut small, and digested for ten 
or twelve days, in the cold, in a sufficient quantity of sulphuric 
ether, — the tincture is then pressed, concentrated by distillation, 
and the ether thereby fully removed. 

From a pound of the root, about eighteen drams of a brownish 
green, thick extract are obtained, which possesses the repulsive 
odour of the plant, and has an acrid taste. 

In Germany, the extract is geneially prepared according to the 
formula of the Prussian Pharmacopoeia, which is as follows — Take 
an ounce of the powdered root, and pour thereon eight ounces of 
the sulphuric ether of commerce ; close the vessel, shaking it occa- 
sionally, and let it stand until the fluid has acquired a yellowish 
colour; then separate the fluid as before described ; distil oft' the 
sulphuric ether until only a, third remains, and evaporate the 
remainder, in a water bath, until a thin brownish yellow colored 
extract remains. 

This extract contains not only the volatile oil of the fern, but 

1 Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Med. Art. Polypodium. 
8 Nouvelle Biblioiheque Medicale, Sept. 1828, p. 151, and Biblioth. 
Univer. xxxi. 324, 1826. 



PILIX MAS. 197 

also a fixed oil, tannin, acetic and gallic acids, a mu co-saccharine 
matter, green and red colouring matter, and a semi-resinous sub- 
stance. By some it is called the Oleum Filicis Maris. The active 
constituents of the fern are highly concentrated in it ; and as the 
result of numerous trials, it was found, that from eighteen to twenty 
grains, given at night, and the same quantity in the morning fast- 
ing destroyed taeniae, so that on the administration of a cathartic, 
the parasite was discharged — often in the form of a ball. Not 
unfrequently, indeed, it was voided before the cathartic was given. 

In Germany, this new preparation has been chiefly recommended 
by Hufeland, who maintained, that in rapidity, certainty and gen- 
tleness of action, it exceeds all known means, and many other 
physicians have testified to the accuracy of this opinion. Radius, 1 
who frequently prescribed it, says he never gave it without bring- 
ing away large pieces of the worm, but frequently the head 
remained behind. 2 

Buchner 3 thought, that the extract might be prepared with 
alcohol, but many physicians have objected to this menstruum, — 
that it does not dissolve the fixed oil. 



MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The extract is commonly given in the form of pill ; emulsion 
does not answer, because the active constituents are apt to be 
enveloped and masked in this form. In Geneva, it is now fre- 
quently united with castor oil, this renders it unnecessary to give a 
cathartic after it. For the cathartic when needed, they advise in 
Bern, infusion of senna with epsom salts, manna, and aniseed. 4 To 
children it may be given in syrup. 

Mel Filicis Maris. 

Honey of the Male Fern. 

5<. Ext. aether, filicis maris, gss. 
Mellis rosat. gss. M. 

Half of this to be taken on going to bed ; the other half early in 
the morning fasting. Radius. 

1 Auserlesene Heilformeln, u. s. w. Leipz. TS36. 

2 See, also, Ebers, in Hufeland & Osann's Journal, Ixvi. St. 1. S. 43, 
and Gazette de Sante, Sept. 25, 1828. 

3 Repertorium fur Pharmacie, xxiii. 433, xxvii. 337, and Funk, ia 
medicin. Zeitung, Mai, 17, 1837, S. 102. 

* Hufeland und Osann's Journal, lxiv. St. 1. S. 133. 



198 dunglison's new remedies. 



FUCUS CRISPUS. 

SyNONYMES. Lichen Carrageen; Chondrus Crispus, Sphosrococcus Crispus, 
Ulva Crispa, Chondrus Polymorphus, Irish Moss, Carrageen or Corigeen 
Moss. 

French. Mousse d'Irlande, Mousse Perlee. 

German. Krauser Tang, Seetang. 

Although the carrageen or Irish moss has long been used in 
Ireland, it was but little employed in other parts of Europe, or in 
this country, until within the last few years. Of late, it has been 
used precisely in those cases in which the Lichen Islandicus, or 
Iceland moss has been deemed appropriate. In Germany, the first 
trials were made with.it in the year 1833, by Von Grafe of Berlin, 
and the results were given to the world in his report for that year 1 
of the Clinical surgical and ophthalmic Institute, attached to the 
Frederick William University. 

The fucus crispus, which belongs to the natural family algae, 
exists in the Atlantic Ocean, on the coasts of England, Ireland, 
western France, Spain and Portugal, and as far as the tropics. It 
is also a native of the United States. It is met with more abund- 
antly, however, in Ireland, where it is used by the poor as an article 
of diet. It is thrown on the shore by the waves, and is gathered at 
the time of the ebb. 

The Irish moss, when fresh, is green, and somewhat resembles 
the Iceland moss ; but when dried, as we meet with it in com- 
merce, it is of a bright yellow, and resembles laminae of horn, 
crisped, translucent and frequently containing small shells, calca- 
reous concretions, and grains of sand. It has not much taste ; the 
smell seems to betray iodine, which, however, has not been detected 
in it. When the moss is chewed, it feels like so much cartilage, 
but, by the moisture and warmth of the mouth, it soon loses its 
brittleness. It contains little sea salt, but a good deal of sulphate 
of soda. 2 

The jelly obtained from it is transparent and colourless; its taste 
is by no means disagreeable ; it keeps several days, and is not con- 
verted by muriatic acid into mucus, like the jelly which is ob- 
tained from laud plants. In its nature it is esteemed to be nearly 
allied to animal mucus. 3 It is easy of digestion, is readily borne 
by weak and irritable stomachs, and exerts a soothing influence on 
the air passages and the intestinal canal. 

In order to obtain it, the moss is cut small, carefully cleared from 
impurities, boiled with the selected vehicle, and strained. Von Grafe 

1 Bericht iiber das klinische chir. auajpnarztliche Institut. der k. Friedr. 
With. Univers. fur d. J. 1833. Berl. 1834. 

2 E. Grafe in Art. Fucus, Encyclopad. Wurterb. der medicinischen 
Wissenschaft. xiii. S. 1. Berlin, 1835. 

3 Lucae, in Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 234. Stuttgart, J837. 



FUCUS CRISPUS. 199 

obtained, from nine ounces of milk boiled with half a dram of the 
moss, five ounces of jelly ; and as much from a dram and a half of 
the moss and twelve ounces of water. The formula, commonly 
used by him, is given below. To this jelly may be added any 
dietetic or remedial agent, which may be considered indicated in 
the particular case. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The fucus crispus is used in the affections that are considered to 
be benefited by the Iceland moss. As a diet, it is given in con- 
sumptive cases, and wherever there is erethism in the respiratory 
or digestive apparatus. In diarrhoea it is sometimes given along 
with astringent or other remedies. The jelly has been advised as 
a diet in scrofulous cases. 

Von Grafe affirms that he has often found it serviceable in 
hoarseness, in dry spasmodic cough, consumption, diarrhoea, and 
dysentery, in the intestinal pain, which remains after inflammation 
and ulceration of these parts, and after poison has been taken ; in 
diseases accompanied by much emaciation, and in the prostration 
ensuing on serious diseases and operations. In similar affections 
it has been extolled by Hufeland. 2 On the other hand, Heyfelder 
affirms that not only he, but many physicians of his acquaintance 
have used the moss without either good or evil results in phthisis, 
as well as in erethism of the respiratory and digestive organs ; and 
Riecke 3 remarks, that as it makes a very agreeable jelly, when 
boiled with milk, and with the addition of a little of the aqua 
laurocerasi, it may do for cases where we must prescribe " ut 
fecisse aliquid videamur. 

The truth is that it can render no more service than other sub- 
stances which contain a similar principle, and accordingly but few 
prescribe it with any other view than as a demulcent and nutri- 
tious aliment, in cases where such is needed. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Decoctum Fuci Crispi. 
Decoction of Irish Moss. 



Add* 



&. Fuci crispi elect, et concis. ^ss. 
Lact. vaccin. recent. ,^ix. 
Coq. ad remanent, colatur. £v. 



Sacchar. albissim. ^ss. ad ,^i. 
Aq. amygdal. amar. concentr. 9i. 

To be taken in the course of the day. VoN Graefe. 

1 See L. Feuchtwanger, in Philad. Journ. of Pharm. vi. 204. Philad. 1833-4. 

2 Hufeland und Osann's Journ. der practisch. Heilkund. B. 77, St. 5, 
p. 135. 

3 Op. cit. S. 235. 



200 dunglison's new remedies. 

*. Fuci crispi elect, et eoncis. ^iss. 
Coq. cum aq. font, sjxij. ad remanent, colat. §v. 
Syrup, rubi. idsei giss. ad ^ij. 
Aq. amygd. amar. concentr. 9j. 

To be used through the day. When employed as diet Von Grafe 
allows from ten to eighteen ounces of the jelly in the day. 

5<. Fuci crisp, (elect, et eoncis.) 3ss. 
Coque cum aq. font. q. s. ad reman. ^ vj. 
Colatur. adde 

Sodse phosphai. giss. 

Syrup opii, 3ij. ad ^iij. 

Dose. — A spoonful every two hours in cases of haemoptysis, 
between the attacks. Clarus. 

&. Lactis vaccini, gxxiv. 
Fuci crisp. Qiv. 
Sacch. alb. §j. 
Cort. cinnam. cont. 9j. 
Coque per minut. x. leni igne ; filtr. et exprime. 

Beral. 

B<. Fuci crisp, (elect, et eoncis.) ^ij. 

Coque cum lactis ffij. ad consist, gelatin. 
Tere cum 

Sacch. alb. ^ij. 
Amygdal. amar. No. 2. 

To be used in the course of the day, and daily. Htjfeland. 



FULIGO. 

Synonymes. — Fuligo Splendens, F. Ligni, Soot, Woodsoot. 

French. — Suie. 

German- — Gianzruss, Spiegelruss, Kaminruss, Ofenruss, Russ. 

The discovery of creosote, and its extensive application to the 
treatment of disease, gave occasion to the resuscitation of this 
article — much employed by the ancients, but subsequently fallen 
into oblivion. 

The older physicians frequently used soot as an exciting, 
diaphoretic agent in cachexia of every kind, in chronic rheuma- 
tism, cutaneous affections, and especially in the evil results of their 
sudden repercussion ; in glandular indurations, rickets, exostoses, 
&c. It has also been employed as a domestic remedy, in colic, 
and in the simple and dysenteric diarrhoea, and cholera of children. 
Several modern recommendations — as by Schutte and Weisenberg 
— remained unheeded until the attention of physicians was recently 



FULIGO. 201 

drawn to it, especially by Bland. 1 He is of opinion, that the costly 
— and by no means easily prepared — creosote may be wholly 
replaced by soot. Both are products of the dry distillation of 
organic substances; their odours are analogous, and as soot is 
much cheaper and more easily obtained, it deserves, he thinks, to 
be tried more extensively in therapeutics. The soot has a nause- 
ously empyreumatic, more or less bitter and acrid, saline taste. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Bland 2 has exhibited the soot in different diseases, especially in 
the form of ointment, or in decoction, with excellent and rapid 
effects, in herpes, itch, tinea, gutta rosacea, and pruritus vulvae ; 
and he asserts, that he even healed a cancer of the breast by fre- 
quent ablution with a tepid decoction of it, and an ointment com- 
posed of equal parts of lard and soot with one eighth part of the 
extract of belladonna ; but the same applications were of no benefit 
in a case of cancer of the nose, and in one of cancer of the uterus. 
He also cured a scabby eruption of the mucous membrane of the 
nose by an ointment of soot. In diphtheritis, he used, in two cases, 
a decoction of soot as a mouth-wash with the best effects. 

In confirmation of Blaud's remarks, Yoisin asserts, that he cured 
a case of cancer of the face by the soot ointment. 

Dr. J. R. Marinus 3 has found it very efficacious in chronic erup- 
tions (dartres), and in tinea. 

Carron du Villards 4 advises a collyrium prepared from soot in 
cases of strumous ophthalmia. He infuses two ounces of soot in 
boiling water, rilters and evaporates to dryness; the shining resi- 
duum is then infused in very strong boiling vinegar, and to every 
twelve ounces of the liquid, twenty-four grains of extract of roses 
are added. A few drops of this solution, in a glass of tepid water, 
form an excellent resolutive collyrium, which may be made 
stronger or weaker at pleasure. He has, also, in cases of spots on 
the cornea, used soot — either blown into the eye alone, or mixed 
with powdered su^ar-candy, and has seen good effects from it. 
United with butter it forms an eyesalve, not inferior, he says, per- 
haps to any other. As, in the treatment of specks on the cornea by 
dropping laudanum into the eye, the organ quickly becomes accus- 
tomed to it, Carron du Villards advises, that the eye should be 
excited to a more lively action by means of the combination of soot 
and tincture of opium given below. It is, he says, an energetic 
agent and may be applied by means of a pencil to the granulations 

1 Revue Medicale, Juin, 1834, ef Janvier, 1S35, and Dr. E. Grafe, in 
Grate und Wuliher's Journal, xxiii. 310. Berlin, 1835. 

2 Journal des Connaissanees Medico-Chirurjj. Mai, 1834. 

3 Bulletin Medical. BeJffe, Nov. 1838, p. 2S9. 

4 Gazette Medicale, Janvier, 1831 ; see, also, Baudelocque, on its use in 
Scrofulous Ophthalmia, in Bulletin General de T herapeutique. Mars, 
1834. 



202 dunglison's new remedies. 

on the cornea. He likewise recommends a decoction of soot as an 
injection in discharges which are the consequence of chronic in- 
flammation of the vagina. 

Recently, M. Andre Gibrin 1 has detailed to the Academie Royale 
de Medeeine of Paris, six cases of chronic inflammation of the 
bladder in which soot was beneficially used in the way of injection. 
He took from the chimney two ounces of compact soot, broke it up, 
washed it, and boiled it in a pound of water. The decoction was 
filtered through paper, and injected into the bladder twice a day. 
The good effect supervened so closely on the administration of the 
remedy, that there could be no doubt as to the cause. The pain 
ceased, and the patient obtained sleep to which he had been for 
some time a stranger. The urine gradually became clear, and 
recovered its natural appearance. 

To these remarks it may be added, that, according to Schutte, 
an ointment composed of two partsof fresh butter or hog's lard, and 
one part of soot, is a popular and efficacious remedy on the Rhine 
for cases of porrigo, itch, and herpes ; not more than a dram being 
rubbed in at a time. Weisenberg ascribes to the soot a protective 
power against contagious affections of the skin, and recommends, 
especially, lotions of soot water, — partly as a preventive agent, and 
partly as a therapeutical application in itch. 

But the soot has not been used, of late, externally only; its in- 
ternal use, in the form of the old tincture of soot, has been revived. 
This was long known under the name of "soot drops" and "fit 
drops," and was employed as an antispasmodic in hysterical and 
other affections; but its employment has been extended, and it is 
given in chronic rheumatism, chronic affections of the chest, sup- 
pressed cutaneous eruptions, in many cases under precisely the 
same notions that prevailed years ago. From thirty to sixty drops 
of the following tincture are given several times in the course of 
the day. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Mistura Fuliginis. 

Tinctura Fuliginis (Clauderi.) 

Mixture of Soot. 

£. Fulig. splend. §ss. 
Potassse carbonat. §iss. 
Ammonia? carb. £ij. 
Aq. sambuc. §ix. 
Digere leni calore. Filtra. 

Dose. — From thirty to sixty drops several times a day. 
1 Bulletin de l'Academie, 15 Mars, 1837. 



PULIGO. 203 

Lotio Fuliginis. 

Lotion of Soot. 

&. Fulig. splend. manip. maj. ij. 
Coque cum aq. font, ftj per semihoratn. Cola cum expressione. 

Used as a wash, several times a day, in herpetic, psoric and 
syphilitic ulcers. Blaud. 

Unguentum Fuliginis. 

Ointment of Soot. 

£. Fulig. splend. 
Adipis, aa. ^ss. 
Extract, belladon. £]. M. exacte, 

To be spread upon lint or tents in cases of cancers. Blaud. 

£. Axung. porcin. 

Fulig. splendent, aa. §ij. 
Coque leni igne per horas vj. 

As a dressing in cases of tinea, and of foul ulcers. Blaud. 

5<. Carbon, pulv. 

Sulph. depur. aa. %]. 

Fulig. splend. 

Cort. Peruv. flav. aa.gss. 

Cerati simplicis q. s. ut fiat unguentum. 

A dram to be rubbed in, once or twice a day, in cases of tinea. 

Carron du Villards. 

*. Opii, gij. 

Caryoph. arom. gj. 
Fulig. splend. loti, ^ss. 
Aq. cinnam. sviij. 
Alcohol is, %\v. 
Digest in a gentle heat for six days ; filter and express the residuum. 

Applied in cases of specks on the cornea. 

Carron du Villards. 

*. Fulig. gij. 

Album, ovi, No. vj. 
Tere simul. 

As a dressing for herpes and tinea. It is the Pommade resolu- 
tive of Sainte Marie. 1 

&. Fulig. .liss. 

Zinni sulphat. gvj. 
Adipts, 5iv. M. 

Applied in cases of tinea. It is the Pommade contre la teigne, 
of Bories. 2 

1 Nonvean Formulaire Medical et Pharmaceutique. Paris et Lyon, 1820. 
* Formulaire de Montpellier. Montpellier, 1822. 



204 dunglison's new remedies. 



GALEOPSIS GRANDIFLORA (SUMMITATES.) 

Synonymes. — Galeopsis Ochroleuca, G. Villosa, G. Segetum, Herba Side- 

ritidis. 
German. — Grossbliithigen Hohlzahns, Grossblumigte Hanfnessel. 

This plant, which belongs to the natural family Labiatae, and in 
the Linnaean system to Didynamia Gymnospermia, grows in the 
western part of Germany, in sandy cornfields. 1 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The fresh plant has a peculiar, feeble, balsamic smell, and a 
somewhat bitter and saltish taste, and has been considered, in 
Germany, to be worthy of a distinguished place amongst the "bitter 
resolvents." 

It has been much sold as a nostrum, under the name of "Blank- 
enheimer Tea," (Blankenheimer Thee), or " Lieber's pectoral and 
phthisical herbs," (Liebersche Brust oder Auszehrungskranter), 
and enjoyed great re pute. In the Ardennes, also, particularly in 
the district of Malmedy, it has been long employed as a popular 
remedy. In the year 1828, Lejenne 2 directed attention to the 
therapeutical importance of this plant. According to his observa- 
tion, it is very useful in diseases of the mucous membrane of the 
respiratory and digestive organs, and especially in chronic pulmo- 
nary catarrh, even when it exists to such a degree as to merit the 
name Phthisis mucosa (Schleimschwindsucht.) In actual phthisis 
the affection seemed to him to be diminished by it; the hectic being 
moderated, the expectoration rendered easier, or the cough assuaged. 

Lejenne generally boiled half an ounce of the plant in a pint of 
water down to half; sweetened the decoction with sugar or honey, 
and directed the whole to be taken in the twenty-four hours. In 
other cases, in which a milk diet was appropriate, the decoction 
was made with an equal quantity of milk. Wesener 3 found it 
advantageous in phthisis mucosa, and in chronic pulmonary 
catarrh. Giinther, who had many opportunities for observing the 
action of the remedy, affirms, that the Lieberschen Krauter not 
unfrequently produced some amelioration in phthisis, especially in 
scrofulous phthisis, but he never saw any actual recovery there- 
from. It seemed to him to moderate the colliquative sweats, and 
to facilitate and diminish the expectoration. In one case especially, 
of scrofulous phthisis, in the last stace, it appeared to be of 
essential sprvice, and to prolong: life; and from all his observations 
he is disposed to infer, that if it is not the sole or the main remedy 

1 Von Schleehtendal, in Encyclopad-Worterb. der medicin. Wissenschaft. 
xiii. 115. Berlin, J835. 

2 Annates Generales des Sciences physiques, p. 331. Sepr. 1820. 

3 Hufeland und Osann's Journ. der pract. Heilk. 1823 and 1S24. 






GALEOPSIS GRANDIFLORA. 205 

to be employed in every stage of phthisis, it may be used with 
'advantage throughout the disease as a supporting agent. 

Riecke 1 asserts, that he has seen many cases in which the 
Lieberschen Krauter were of great. service in thoracic affections 
threatening phthisis. In one case, which promised to terminate 
unfavourably in a short time, owing to the complication of violent 
haemoptysis with hectic fever, and in which an experienced phy- 
sician had exhausted every effort of art, they were given with the 
best effect. The thoracic affection ceased, and at this time — a 
period office or six years since the use of the remedy — the patient 
— an officer — is capable of performing his military duties without 
difficulty. On the other hand, Richter affirms, that in two cases 
in which he administered the galeopsis, no benefit resulted from it. 
In this country it has not been employed ; so that we can only judge 
from the testimony afforded by the German writers. This, as they 
themselves admit, 2 is not yet sufficient to enable them to lay down 
any positive rules as to the exact indications and counter-indica- 
tions that must regulate its employment. It is probably of no 
farther service than as a mild bitter, and its place may, therefore, 
be supplied, perhaps advantageously, by many of the tonics that 
are admitted into the lists of our remedial agents. Geiger 3 sub- 
jected it to analysis, and found in it 2,765 parts of fatty matter, 
wax and chlorophylle; 0.247 of a brown bitterish resin, insoluble 
in ether ; 0.312 of a yellowish stimulating and bitter resin, soluble 
in ether ; yellow bitter extractive matter, soluble in ether, and a 
brownish matter insoluble therein ; phosphate and malate of lime; 
salts of potassa; muco-saccharine matter and fecula, and 65.882 
of ligneous matter. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

&. Summitat. galeopsid. grandif. Jj. 
Boil in a pint of water for a quarter of an hour and strain. 

To be used in the twenty-four hours. Wesener. 

5<. Summitat. galeop. grandifl. 
Rad. althteae, aa. ^j. 

glycrrliiz. gij. M. 

The fourth part of this to be boiled in a pint and a half of water. 

To be used daily in chronic catarrh, and in the expectoration 
produced by the softening of pulmonary tubercles. Radius. 4 

The galeopsis versicolor, and the galeopsis villosa, which have 
also been examined by Geiger, 5 appear to be possessed of the same 
virtues as the galeopsis grandijlora. 6 

1 Die neuern Arznemittel, u. s. w. S. 241. Stuttgart, 1837. 

2 Op. cit. S. 241. 

3 Magaz. liir Pharmacie, ix. 134. 

4 Auserlesene Heilformeln, u. s. w. Leipz. 1836. 
6 Allgem. med. Annalen, S. 1141. 1825. 

fl Ricliter's Specielle Therapie, 13. x. S. 397. Berlin, 1828. 



206 dunglison's new remedies. 



GENTIANINA. 

Synonymes. — Gentianeina, Gentiania, Geutia, Gentianeine, Gentianinum, 
Gentianin, Gentianin'e. 

This peculiar bitter principle of the root of the gentiana lutea, or 
yellow gentian, was discovered at the -same time by M. Henry, 1 
Chef de la Pharmacie centrale of Paris, and by M. Caventou. 
Their results, indeed, were so identical, that it almost seemed as if 
they had acted in concert, and they therefore agreed to furnish 
them conjointly. According to these gentlemen, the gentiana lutea 
contains — 1. A very fugacious odorous principle; 2. A yellow 
bitter principle, (gentianine ;) 3. A matter identical with birdlime ; 
4. A fixed oil; 5. A greenish substance; 6. A free organic acid; 
7. Uncrystallisable sugar; 8. Gum; 9. A yellow colouring matter; 
and, 10. Woody fibre. 2 Schrader discovered, in addition, a resin- 
ous and narcotic principle, and M. Planche affirms, that he de- 
tected the latter. 

METHOD OP PREPARING. 

Powdered gentian is digested in water in the cold. At the end 
of forty-eight hours a yellowish green tincture is obtained, which 
must be filtered, and the liquid be sufficiently concentrated by ex- 
posure to heat in an open vessel. It then forms, on cooling, a 
yellow crystalline mass, which possesses strongly the taste and 
odour of gentian. This mass is digested in alcohol, until it ceases 
to yield a lemon colour. The products of the washings are added 
together, and exposed to a slight heat ; the yellow crystalline mass 
reappears, which, towards the end of the evaporation, becomes 
solid. The mass is very bitter. It is then redigested in weak 
alcohol, which redissolves all, except a certain quantity of oily 
matter. This last alcoholic solution contains, in addition to the 
bitter principle of the gentian, its odorous matter, and also an acid 
substance. By evaporating the liquor to dryness, dissolving the 
residue in water, adding a little well burned and washed magnesia 
thereto, and by boiling and evaporating in a water bath, the 
greater part of the odorous matter of the gentian may be driven off. 
The bitter acid is also taken up by the magnesia, and the yellow 
bitter principle remains partly free, and partly combined with the 
magnesia, to which it gives a beautiful yellow colour. The greater 
part of the bitter principle may then be obtained pure and isolated, 
by boiling the magnesia in ether, and evaporating the solution. If 
it be desirable to separate still more of the bitter principle, which 
the ether has failed to take from the magnesia, this may be done 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, torn. v. 

2 Journal General de Medecine, torn, lxxiv, and Magendie's Formulaire. 



GENTIANINA. 207 

by digesting in enough oxalic acid to make the liquor acidulous. 
The acid unites with the magnesia, and the bitter principle which 
is set free may be obtained by the means above mentioned. 

Gentianine is yellow, inodorous, and possesses very strongly the 
aromatic bitterness of gentian, especially when dissolved in an 
acid. It is very soluble in ether and in alcohol ; and may be sepa- 
rated from them by spontaneous evaporation, in the form of very 
small, yellow, needle-like crystals. It is much less soluble in cold 
water, which it renders, however, very bitter. Boiling water has 
more action on it. Its colour is much deepened by the dilute alka- 
lies, which dissolve rather more of it than water does. Acids 
weaken its yellow colour. Concentrated sulphuric acid carbonises 
it, and destroys its bitterness. When exposed in a glass tube to 
the heat of boiling mercury, it is partly decomposed, and partly 
sublimed, in the form of small, yellow, crystalline needles. It does 
not sensibly change the colour of litmus paper, either when blue, 
or reddened by an acid, but seems to be neutral. Henry and 
Caventou esteem it an acid ; Richard, an alkali. 

It would seem that the experiments of MM. Trommsdorf and 
Leconte have demonstrated decisively, that gentianine, prepared 
according to the process of M. Henry, cannot be regarded as the 
active part of gentian. 1 Professor Dulk, of Konisberg, recommends 
the following process for separating it : — The coarse powder of the 
root is treated with alcohol ; the alcohol is distilled off, and the 
residuum dissolved in water. The solution is filtered ; and the 
undissolved matter, treated with ether, furnishes a clear tincture, 
from which, by spontaneous evaporation, is procured the gen- 
tianine of M. Henry, entirely insipid. The aqueous solution has 
a very bitter taste, and is fermented to separate the sugar, which 
cannot easily be done in any other manner. The liquid is then 
precipitated by the neutral acetate of lead; and the precipitate is 
separated : into the bitter liquid filtered is poured basic acetate of 
lead, and a little ammonia, to precipitate the combination of vege- 
table matter with the oxide of lead ; but care must be taken not to 
add too much ammonia, because the latter, as a stronger base, will 
withdraw the vegetable matter from the oxide of lead. A yellow 
precipitate is obtained, which is washed in small quantities of 
water, as in a larger quantity the combination is decomposed. 
The precipitate is dissolved in water, and decomposed by a current 
of sulphuretted hydrogen gas. It is filtered, and the solution eva- 
porated, at a moderate temperature, to dryness: the residue is 
treated with alcohol, s. g. .820; filtered, and by evaporation a mass 
is procured, which presents no trace of crystallisation. 

This gentianine is a brownish yellow matter. Dried and tritu- 
rated, it affords a yellow powder, and possesses the bitter taste of 
the root in the highest degree. It is hygrometric ; almost insoluble 
in absolute alcohol ; more soluble in common alcohol, and very 

1 Journal de Pharraacie, Dec. 1838. 



208 dunglison's new remedies. 

soluble in water. It reddens litmus paper ; heated, it melts, swells 
up, and burns without any residuum. It. contains no azote. In 
its reaction and relation to bases, it approaches the acids. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Gentianine, according to the experiments of Magendie, is not 
possessed of any poisonous qualities. Several grains, injected into 
the venous system, produced no apparent effect. He himself swal- 
lowed two grains dissolved in alcohol, and the only inconvenience 
which he experienced, was an extremely bitter taste, and a slight 
sense of heat in the stomach. It does not seem to possess any ad- 
vantages over the gentian itself. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Magendie recommends a tincture and a syrup. Either of them 
may be substituted for the officinal tincture of gentian, wherever 
the latter is considered to be indicated. The syrup he regards as 
one of the best bitters that can be prescribed in scrofulous affec- 
tions, and he asserts, that he has observed permanently good effects 
from it. He does not give the dose of the gentianine, — which 
Radius 1 fixes at from one to four grains twice a day. 

Tinchira Gentianince. 
Tincture of Gentianine. 



Digere. 



Alcohol. 24° (.903) |j. 
Gentianin. gi. v. 



Syrupus Gentianince. 

Syrup of Gentianine. 

Syrup, simplic. fej. 
Gentianin. gr. xvj. M, 



Magendie. 



Magendie. 



GRANATUM (CORTEX RADICIS). 

Synonymes. Punica Granatum, Malogranatum, Pomegranate, (the bark of 

the root.) 
French. Grenadier, Balaustier. 
German. Granatbaum. (Granatwurzelrinde.) 

The Punica Granatum appears to be a native of the northern 
coast of Africa, whence it was transported to Italy at the time of 

1 Auserlesene Heilformeln, u. s. w. Leipz. 1836. 



GRANATUM. 209 

the Carthaginian wars. It is now cultivated in all civilised 
regions, where the climate is sufficiently warm to allow the fruit to 
ripen. It belongs to the natural family Myrtacese, and, in the Lin- 
nsean system, to the class Icosandria, order Monogynia. 

All the parts of the plant contain more or less tannin. The bark 
of the root is externally of a yellowish gray or ash colour ; inter- 
nally it is yellow, and has an astringent taste. According to 
Latourde Trie, 1 it contains wax, chlorophylle, a considerable quan- 
tity of resin, gallic acid, tannin, fatty matter, and a peculiar matter 
called Grenadine, — in German, Granatin. 

This grenadine is, in its pure state, of a white colour ; inodorous, 
and of a sweetish taste ; so much so indeed, that, according to 
Magendie it might be presumed to be a variety of sugar, except that 
it differs from ordinary sugar in being devoid of the property of 
fermenting. According to the degree of its purity, it crystallises in 
grains, tufts or stars. When thrown on red-hot coals, it consumes 
without any residuum, and smells like burnt bread. It is fusible, 
and by a moderate heat may be almost wholly sublimed. It neither 
reacts as an acid nor an alkali, and is readily soluble in water. 
Cold alcohol dissolves only traces of it, but boiling alcohol dissolves 
it readily, — a property, which is to be taken advantage of in the 
formation of crystals. In ether it is insoluble. Nitric acid, with the 
assistance of heat, converts it into oxalic acid. An ounce of the 
bark yields six grains of the grenadine; but it is not settled, 
whether it contains the whole of the medical properties of the bark. 
Cenedella, 2 from whom we have the most recent analysis of the 
bark of the pomegranate root, also found the grenadine discovered 
by Latour. This substance is readily prepared. The bark in 
powder is treated with ether, and afterwards with boiling alcohol, 
and the fluid is evaporated to the consistence of a soft extract. By 
treating this extract with water, the grenadine is dissolved without 
difficulty, and it may be purified by suffering it to crystallise fre- 
quently from alcohol. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The therapeutical properties of the different parts of the pome- 
granate tree were known to the writers of antiquity. They 
employed not only the bark of the root as a remedial agent, but 
also the flowers (Flores Balaustiorum, Balaustes, Balaustia,) 
" Balaustine Flowers," the whole fruit (Po?na Granati, Malo- 
Cfranata, Granata, Mala Pitnica, Fr. Grenades.) " Pomegra- 
nate ;" the rind of the fruit (Malicorium, Malichorium, Mala- 
corium,) and the seeds. Dioscorides, Pliny, Celsus and Marcellus 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, Fev. 1828, p. 109. 

2 Qiornale di Farraacia, Agosto, 1831, p. 55. See, also, Journal de Phar- 
macie, i.\. 219 ; x. 352; and xvii. 503; and Prof. Dierbach, in Heidelberg, 
klin. Annaltn, B. x. H. 3, S. 365. Heidelb. 1834. 

9— b dungl 14 



210 dunglison's new remedies. 

Empiricus speak of the employment of the bark of the root in 
taenia. 1 In more modern times, the Punica granatum had been 
greatly neglected, although the juice of the fruit was recommended 
by Frederick Hoffman against worms in children. In India, it has 
been long held in great estimation as a remedy in cases of tape- 
worm, and its efficacy having been noticed by some English physi- 
cians, it was recommended to the attention of European physicians, 
especially by Buchanan, 2 Fleming and Breton. 3 About the same 
time, a monograph was published by Gomez, a Portuguese physi- 
cian, which appears to have had considerable agency in extending 
the reputation of the remedy, especially in Germany, where his 
monograph was translated into the Journal of Gerson and Julius. 4 
Gomez directs two ounces of the fresh rind of the root to be boiled 
in a pint and a half of water down to a pint; and of this decoction 
two or three spoonfuls to be taken for a dose ; the first early in the 
morning fasting, and then every half hour until the whole is used. 
The efficacy of the preparation he tested on fourteen cases, from 
which it appeared, that the worm could not withstand the action of 
the remedy more than forty-eight hours. He found it to exert 
most efficacy, when portions of the worm were perceptible in the 
evacuations, a period when the patient generally suffers most in- 
convenience. If the exit of the worm did not take place on the 
first day, after the use of the agent, the decoction was continued on 
the second day, when the worm was generally discharged. Did 
this, however, not happen, a farther continuance of the remedy was 
of no avail ; and he thought it better to intermit it until the 
appearance of fresh portions of the worm in the evacuations. 
Gomez also administers the dried rind in pills. If the dose be too 
large, or the appropriate dose be too frequently repeated, nausea, 
vomiting and diarrhoea at times supervene ; should this be the 
case, the proper course is obvious. 

In countries, where the fresh rind can be obtained, Gomez 
advises, that it should be used ; in colder countries, the dried rind, 
which is obtained from more southern regions, will have to be 
employed. 

According to Breton, the latter acts more powerfully; the dried 
rind loses more than half its weight, and two ounces of it may 
be esteemed equal to three of the fresh. 

The strong testimony, adduced in its favour by Gomez, gave 
occasion to numerous trials with it in England, France, Germany 
and Italy, which were generally attended with favourable results. 
Such favourable testimony has been afforded by Boiti, Marchese, 



1 Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Medical. Art. Punica Granatum. 
* Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journal, iii. 22, 1827. 

3 Medico-Chirurg. Transact, xi. 31. 

4 Magazin, u. s. w. vi. 427, and Journal Coroplementaire des Sciences 
Medicales, xvi. 24, 1823. 



GRANATUM. 21 1 

Calabro, Majoli, Chevallier, Deslandes, Merat, 1 Pichonnier, Man- 
drux, Claret, Bayle, Delaporte, Gendrin, Grimaud, Chapotin, 
Bourgeoise, Housson, Goupil, Ferrus, Wolff, Kostler, Meisinger, 
Berthold, and others. 2 On the other hand, Keibel 3 complains of its 
uncertainty; and, in the Polyclinical Institute of the University of 
Berlin, it was given without advantage; but Osann, in his report 
of that Institution, is disposed to refer the want of success to some 
imperfection in the rind employed, which, he remarks, is found to 
vary greatly in its character, as met with in the shop of the 
apothecary. It would appear, also, that it is not unfrequently mixed 
with the rind of the root of the Boxtree, and the Guelder rose 
(Wasserhollunder.) 

To introduce more precision on this matter, Wolff recommends 
that the druggists should purchase the bark of the root of the 
genuine East India, or at all events the Portuguese, tree. Boiti 4 
advises that the root should be obtained from mountainous regions, 
where the tree grows wild ; that it should be taken only from young 
trees, and that it should not be more than an inch thick, that it 
should be carefully separated from the woody portion, and be col- 
lected in the spring of the year, when the tree has most sap, and 
be dried in the shade. Chevallier 5 , also advises, that only the rind 
of the root of the wild tree should be used. Gendrin, Montault 
and Pichonnier all affirm, that the fresh rind was alone certain in 
its operation ; the dry frequently disappointing them. "According 
to Breton, the rind of the trunk is to be preferred to that of the root, 
because it preserves its virtues longer. Chevallier recommends, 
before the decoction of the pomegranate tree bark is administered, 
that a gentle cathartic of castor oil with lemon juice should -be 
premised. This may be taken the evening before, the patient 
fasting during the following day. The decoction he directs to be 
made of two ounces of the rind macerated for twenty-four hours, in 
two pints of water, and then boiled until a pint of the strained 
liquor remains. This must be divided into three portions, which 
are taken in half hourly doses. The first and second doses with 
many persons excite vomiting, but this need not prevent the ad- 
ministration of the third, as it rarely produces the same effect. 
This quantity of the decoction commonly occasions three or four 
evacuations, preceded by slight colic pains; at other times, but one 
evacuation is produced, with which the worm is usually expelled. 
The period that elapses between the administration of the last dose 
of the remedy and the commencement of its operation is from a 
quarter of an hour to a whole hour — rarely longer. 

Cenedella advises that the bark of the root should be macerated 

1 Du Taenia &c. et de sa cure radicale par l'ecorce de la racine de Grena- 
dier. Paris, 1832; and Merat & De Lens. Op. cit. 
8 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimiltel, S. 247. 
* Rust's Magazin, xvi. St. 3. S. 566. 
4 Revue Encyclop. xxxii. 234. 
6 Journal de Chimie Medicale, i. 378; 1825. 



212 dunglison's new remedies. 

before boiling ; that the decoction should be made in earthen, not 
in metallic, vessels, and that it should be filtered or strained whilst 
hot, different constituents — which are probably efficacious — being 
deposited as the liquor cools. 

According to Constant, the rind is commonly prepared in France 
in the following manner. 

The rind of the fresh root — or the bruised root dried — is mace- 
rated through the night in from a pint and a half to a quart of 
water; the liquor is then boiled to one half, strained, and in the 
morning, a third part is taken lukewarm, fasting, and repeated 
every three hours until the whole has been administered. The 
quantity of the rind, used for the decoction, is, in the case of the 
adult, §j ; of children, from six to fifteen years old, 3vj ; and of those 
under six years of age, gss. At times, however, it has been ad- 
ministered in much larger doses. A girl, twenty-four years of 
age, had suffered from taenia from her infancy and had frequently 
passed fragments of worms in her evacuations. She took two 
ounces of the bruised bark of the pomegranate root, boiled in two 
pounds of water, at thrice, with half an hour's interval between 
the doses, but without effect. The dose was now increased to 
three ounces, and two tapeworms were expelled ; so that in two 
days, and without any abdominal disturbance, the patient took the 
decoction of five ounces of the bark of pomegranate root. 1 

To ensure the proper action of the decoction, it must be given as 
directed above, without the addition of sugar or syrup, which 
changes its properties. During its operation, the patient should 
drink nothing, except when the tormina are urgent, and then a 
little of any aromatised water, without sugar, may be taken. The 
remedy should be given only on days in which portions of tasnia 
are evacuated, or on the following morning* and the alimentary 
canal should be free from every evidence of inflammatory irritation. 
By some, as by Latour de Trie, and Ferrus, an infusion of the rind 
has been found serviceable ; and Deslandes recommends an Ex- 
tr actum spirituosum, and an Extractum aquosum corticis radicis 
granatorum. 

Ferrus, Berthold, Goupil, and others, have published cases in 
which, along with the expulsion of the tasnia, various neuroses 
were removed under the use of the rind, and accordingly it has 
been thought, that it might be usefully employed in such affections 
where no tasnia exists ; — in epilepsy and hysteria, for example. 

Decoctum Corticis Radicis Granati. 

Decoction of Pomegranate Root Bark. 

£. Corticis radicis granati, 3*ij. 
Aquse, flsjj. 
Boil to a pint and a half. 

1 Professor Forget, in Gazette des Hdpitaux. Fev. 19, 1839, and Lond. 
Med. Gazette, Apl. 20, 1839. 



GTUACO. 213 

Dose. — gij every half hour. Three or four doses are usually- 
sufficient to expel the worm. 1 The formula, quoted by Dr. Paris 2 
from Dr. Ainslie's Materia Medica of Hindoston, directs the decoc- 
tion to be prepared with §ij of the fresh bark, boiled in a pint and 
a half of water, until only three quarters of a pint remain. 

Electuarium Corticis Radicis Granati. 

Electuary of Pomegranate Root Bark. 

#. Extract, spirit, cort. rad. granat. ^vj. 
Aquae riorum tiliae a 
Succi. citr. aa. ^iij. 
Gum. tragac. q. s. ut fiat electuarium. 

Dose. — One half, from half hour to half hour. Deslandes. 

Mistura Extracti Corticis Radicis GranatL 

Mixture of Pomegranate Root Bark. 

5<. Extract, spirit, cort. rad. granat. ^vj. 
Aquae menthse r 
Aquae flor. tiliae 3 
Succ. citr. aa. 31J. M. 

To be divided into four parts, one of which may be taken every 
quarter of an hour. Deslandes. 



GUACO. 

Svnonymes.— Huaco, Eupatorium Huaco. 

It would appear, that owina 1 to some extracts in the Allgemeine 
Zeitung, the attention of the German physicians had been directed 
to this article as an important agent in the cure of epidemic cho- 
lera; and various testimonials have been brought forward in its 
favour, which, as Riecke 4 properly suggests, may not be confirmed 
by farther experience, and yet the circumstance may have led to 
the introduction of a valuable article into the catalogue of medi- 
cinal agents. 

Many species of the genus Eupatorium, and of the kindred 
genus Mikania, — which has been recently separated from it, be- 
longing to the natural family Composite, (Synantheresc, sub- 
division Corymbifersc,) and, in the Lynnaean system, to Syn- 

1 Jourdan's Pharmacopee Universelle, i. 638. Paris, 1828 

2 Pharmacologic, Beck's American Edition, p. 380. New York, 1831. 

3 Any simple aiomatic water may be substituted for this. 

4 Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 250. Stuttgart, 1337. 



214 dunglison's new remedies. 

genesia jEqualis,) have been prized in various parts of America, 
especially in cases of the bites of serpents. This is especially the 
case with the Eupatorium ayapana, (E. triplinerve.) According 
to Martins, a quantity of the bruised leaves is applied to the scari- 
fied wound, and the application of fresh leaves is renewed, over 
and over again, until the patient is freed from the dangerous symp- 
toms, and especially from the violent suffering. At the same time, 
a few spoonfuls of the expressed juice are administered every now 
and then. The Mikania opifera, (Eupatorium crenatum,) — in 
Brazil termed Erva da cobra — and the Eupatorium saturejcB- 
folium, (Mikania saturejcefolia,) also belong to the many Synan- 
therese, which, in South America, are reputed specifics against the 
bites of serpents. The most important species appears to be that 
called, in Peru, Guaco, or Huaco, which is held there in high con- 
sideration, as well as in Colombia, New Grenada, and Venezuela, 
not only in these cases, but in the prevention of hydrophobia. 1 
This is presumed to be the mikania guaco of Humboldt. 

The guaco was made known to us, forty or fifty years ago, by 
Mutis, 2 who refers to its effects in cases of the bites of serpents. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Of the efficacy of the guaco in the Indian cholera, M. E. de 
Chaniac, Officier de Sante in the French navy, and Dr. Chabert, 
physician to the military hospital in Mexico, have published the 
results of their experience. When the brig Adonis, on her voyage 
from Havana to Mexico, in the year 1833, arrived at Vera Cruz, 
some of her crew were attacked with the cholera, which prevailed 
at the time in Mexico. Of all the remedies employed, the guaco 
was found the most beneficial ; its effects, indeed, were so wonderful, 
that it was regarded almost as a specific. Its action is chiefly ex- 
erted on the heart and the circulation, which it renders more 
energetic. All the patients, to whom it was exhibited in the com- 
mencement of the disease, were saved, and even of those, in whom 
the cholera had already reached a certain stage, the greater part 
were saved, as soon as a free and complete reaction was esta- 
blished. 

Dr. Chabert, who first administered the guaco in cholera, as well 
as in yellow fever, observes on its use in the former disease: — In 
simple cases, a small tea-cupful of a warm decoction of guaco was 
given every half hour, until a general diaphoresis and proper 

1 See W. R. Johnson, in Silliraan's Journal, xxiv. 279 and 388, .New 
Haven, 1833; and Ibid, xxvii. 17J, New Haven, 1835; also, Dr. Hancock, 
in Quarterly Journal of Science, &c. from January to June, 1830, p. 333. 
Dr. Hancock affirms, that the names Guaco and Bejuco de Guaco were 
given — in the parts of America where he sojourned — to different species of 
Aristolochia. 

3 Virev, in Bulletin de la Societe de Pharmacie, vi. 241; and Riecke, 
Op. cit. 251. 



GUACO. 215 

warmth of surface supervened, which was kept up for some days, 
when the remedy was gradually discontinued. To allay the thirst, 
the decoction was given, diluted with two-thirds, or half, water. In 
dangerous cases of cholera algida, with coldness, loss of pulse, &c, 
a spoonful of the spirituous tincture was mixed with six or eight 
spoonfuls of water, and, every quarter of an hour, a spoonful of this 
mixture was given alternately with a small cupful of the decoction. 
When the pulse returned, the warmth became restored, and the 
perspiration re-established ; the tincture was omitted, and the de- 
coction continued alone at longer intervals. In the majority of 
cases, after the cessation of the cholera symptoms, pain was expe- 
rienced in the epigastrium, with burning thirst, which yielded 
when the decoction was diluted with half or two-thirds water. 
When the decoction could not be retained by the stomach, it was 
given in clyster. Bloodletting, general and local, was employed 
along with other external means, but nothing was given internally, 
except the guaco. To make the decoction ; — two drams of the 
stalks, and half a dram of the leaves, were boiled in two pints 
of water, down to one. The tincture was prepared like other 
tinctures. 

In consequence of the communications of Chabert and De Cha- 
niac, as well as of the parallel drawn by Harless, 1 between the 
cholera and the effects of the bites of serpents, Professor Beckers, 
of Miinchen, recommended that experiments should be made with 
the guaco ; and it was accordingly tried in Miinchen, but not with 
as favourable results as had been expected. Romerio asserts, that it 
was given in the stadium asphycticum, in the form of infusion, 
made of half an ounce of the stalks, but with uncertain results. It 
appeared to combine the effects of the valerian and ipecacuanha, yet 
it excited less vomiting than the latter. The tincture appeared to 
render greater service. It was given in the dose of a coffee- 
spoonful every half hour, and, subsequently, every hour, and every 
two hours. It would appear, that in the district of Prague, its 
administration was attended with very favourable consequences. 2 
To account for the different results, it is affirmed, that different 
drugs are met with in commerce under the name guaco. Riecke 
says, that M. Jobst had sent him two kinds, which were evi- 
dently from different plants; the one variety was obtained from 
Hamburg and Bordeaux, the other from Paris ; descriptions of 
which are given by Riecke. The truth, probably, is, that this, like 
most of the cholera specifics which have been brought forward, is 
efficacious in certain cases of the disease, but that its efficacy has 
been egregiously exaggerated. 

1 Die Indische Cholera u. s. w. Braunschweig, 1831. 

2 Riecke, Op. cit.S. 256. 



216 dunglison's new remedies. 



HIPPOCASTANUM, (CORTEX.) 

Synonymies. — iEseulus Hippocastanum, Castanea Equina, C. Pavina, 

Horse Chestnut, Buck Eye, (the Bark.) 
French. — Marronier, Marronier d'Inde. 
German. — Rosscastanien, (Rinde.) 

The tree, whence this bark is derived, is the JEsculus Hippo- 
castanum, or Horse Chestnut — of the natural family Hippocas- 
taneae; in the Linnaean system, class Heptandria, order Mono- 
gynia — which is wild on the mountains of Asia Minor and Persia, 
and grows in this country, as well as in Europe. The bark 
has a very astringent taste, is somewhat bitter, and contains a 
great deal of tannin. Canzoneri thinks he discovered a peculiar 
principle in it, which he calls JEsculine, but the existence of this 
is contested. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY, 

The cortex hippocastani has long been advised as an astringent, 
but without receiving much attention. 1 In modern times, it has 
been proposed by Zanuichelli, Hufeland, Voigtel, and others, as 
the best substitute for the cinchona. These recommendations have 
caused the bark to be more frequently administered of late, in 
Europe, by which means it has been discovered to accord almost 
entirely in its effects with the willow bark ; the latter, however, 
appears to be more effective, and to agree better with the digestive 
organs. In the wars of Napoleon, when bark was very scarce, it 
was much employed. 

Hufeland and Voigtel recommend it, especially in intermittents. 
Sinogowitz 2 advises that it should be given after the removal of 
intermittents by the quinine, to prevent a relapse; and, also, in 
combination with diuretic agents, in the cases of dropsy which 
often succeed that disease. Kriigelstein found it always extremely 
efficacious in atonic gout, and in removing the weakness of the 
digestive apparatus that remains after attacks of gout. The 
Austrian. Brunswick, Danish, Russian, and Saxon pharmaco- 
poeias 3 have an aqueous extract of the bark, which Voigtel admi- 
nistered with good results in intermittent fever, and which he often 
found serviceable in chronic discharges from the mucous mem- 
branes. It agrees better with the stomach than the powder or the 
decoction. Externally, the decoction has been advised as a good 
astringent. 



1 Merat & De Lens, Art. iEsculus Hippocastanum. 

2 Rust's Magazin, B. xxix. H. i. p. 84. 

3 Pharmacopee Universale, ii. 14. Paris, 1828. 



HIPPOCASTANUM. 217 

. MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Decoctam Corticis Hippocastani. 

Decoction of Horse Chestnut Bark. 

£. Cort. hippocastan. |jiss. 
Coque cum aquse commun. ^xviij. ad reman, colat. ^ix; cui refrigerat. adde 
Spir. sulph. aether. sjj — ij. 
Syr. cort. aurant. gj. M. 

To be used during the apyrexia. Voigtel. 

Pulvls China, Factilius. 

Factitious Powder of Bark. 

£. Cortic. hippocast. 

salic. 

gentian, rubr. 

Calam. arom. ' 
Caryophyll. aa. gij. 
Misce et fiat pulvis. 

Hufeland 1 affirms, that this powder is an adequate substitute for 
the cinchona in three cases out of four. 

HUFELAND, AND PRUSSIAN PHARMACOPOEIA. 

Decoctum Chinee. Factitice. 

Decoction of Factitious Bark. 

£. Pulv. gross, cort. salic. 

hippocast/ aa. §ss. 

Rad. calam. 
Caryophyll. aa. ^ij. 
Coque cum aq. fontan. 5xvi. ad reman, colat. §viij. 

Prussian Pharmacopoeia. 

Decoctum Hippocastani Acidum. 

Acid Decoction of Horse Chestnut. 

5<. Cort. hippocast. pulv. ^vj. 
Coque cum 

Acid, sulphur, dilut. 3j et 
Aquse font. $x. 
Ad colat. §vj. 

Used in the after treatment of intermittents. Sinogowitz. 

Electuarium Corticis Hippocastani. 

Electuary of Horse Chestnut Bark. 

5«. Cort. hippocast. pulv. ^ss. 
Rad. calam. aromat. gss. 
Roob. juniperi, ^iij. M. fiat electuarium. 

A tea-spoonful to be taken every hour, or every two hours, in 
dropsies supervening on intermittent fever. Sinogowitz. 

1 Atmenpharmacopoe. 4te Ausgab. Berl. 1825. 



218 dunglison's new remedies. 



HYDRARGYRI PRiEPARATA. 

Synonymes. — Preparations of Mercury. 
French. — Les Preparations de Mercure. 
German. — Q,uecksilberpraparate. 

I. HYDRARGYRI BROMIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Hydrargyrum Bromatum, Bromide of Mercury. 
German. — Bromquecksilber. 

Mercury unites with bromine in more than one proportion. A 
solution of hydrobrornate of potassa produces, with a solution of 
nitrate of protoxide of mercury, a white precipitate, which resembles 
calomel ; and appears to be a bromide of quicksilver, answering to 
the protoxide ; [Hydrargyrum Bromatum, Hydrargyri Proto- 
bromidum ; German, Quecksilberbromiir.) On the other hand, 
the bromide which is formed by the direct union of bromine with 
mercury, corresponds probably to the peroxide. A white substance 
results, which can be sublimed by heat, is soluble in water, alcohol, 
and especially in ether ; is coloured red or yellow by the alkalies, 
and exhibits considerable resemblance to corrosive sublimate ; 
(Hydrargyrum perbromatum, H. perbromidum, H. deutobromi- 
dum. German, Quecksilberbromid.) 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The effects of these preparations on the sound and diseased 
organism are not yet well known. They have, however, been 
employed by some physicians. The protobromide strongly resem- 
bles calomel in its properties. In the dose of one or two grains, it 
produces no effect in health, even when taken fasting. In a higher 
dose — four or five grains, and upwards — it purges moderately, 
augmenting, at the same time, the secretion of urine. When used 
in recent syphilitic affections, in the way of friction on the gums, 
or internally, in the form of pill, it cures them like calomel ; but it 
does not seem to affect the mouth as speedily or as severely as 
calomel. 1 

The deutobromide resembles the bichloride of mercury in its 
action, — producing, in too strong a dose, vomiting and purging, 
with colic and cramp of the stomach; affecting the mouth, and 
exciting violent salivation. Werneck, of Austria, has administered 
it frequently in syphilis. In recent cases, he prescribes the deuto- 
bromide in the form of pill, beginning with the one-twentieth of a 
grain. This dose he increases by two twenty-fifths every two days; 
the chancres being covered at the same time with compresses, 
wetted with a solution formed of six grains of the same substance 

1 Bulletin General de Therapeutique, No. 14, Juillet 30, 1837. 



HYDRARGYRI CYANURETUM. 219 

to a pint of distilled water. After a few days' treatment, he re- 
marked, that the sores assumed a better appearance ; and from 
twenty to thirty days were sufficient to effect their entire cicatrisa- 
tion : the total quantity of the bromide administered was about five 
grains. It was rarely necessary to carry it as high as ten or twelve 
grains. It has been believed that the deutobromide of mercury is 
less liable to affect the salivary glands than the deutochloride of 
mercury, and to affect less severely the stomach and chest. 1 

Desorgues has recommended the second (?) preparation as a pro- 
phylactic and curative agent in syphilis. It was, doubtless, also, 
Riecke suggests — the second preparation, which was administered 
with excellent effects by Prieger, in porrigo favosa, of an obsti- 
nate character. He terms the preparation bromas mercurii, but 
the true bromate is probably insoluble in ether. 2 The first of the 
following formulas is recommended by Prieger. 

Guttce Hydrargyri Perbromidi. 

Drops of Perbromide of Mercury. 

*. Bromatis mercurii, (vel potius hydrargyri perbromidi,) gr. vj. 
Solve in 

iEther. sulphuric, giij. M. 

Dose. — Ten to twenty drops, according to the age of the patient, 
daily, in water. 

5<. Hydrargyr. deuto-bromid. gr. j. 
iEther. sulphuric, £j. M. 

Dose. — Ten to twenty drops in barley water, a short time after 
taking dinner ; — in syphilis. Werneck. 

II. HYDRARGYRI CYANURETUM. 

Synonymes.— Hydrargyri Piussias, H. Bicyanidum, H. Borussias, Hydrar- 
gyrum Cyanogenatum, H. Hydrocyanicum, Cyanide, or Prussiate, or 
Hydrocyanate, or Bicyanide of Mercury. 

French. — Cyanure ou Hydiocyanate ou Prussiate de Mercure. 

German. — Cyanquecksilber, Blaustoffquecksilber, Blausaures Q,uecksilber. 

This mercurial preparation is contained in the pharmacopoeias 
of the United States, Dublin, London, Belgium, Paris, Ferrara, &c. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to Proust and Gay-Lussac, two parts of good and 
finely powdered Prussian blue must be boiled with one part of 
deutoxide of mercury and eight parts of water, until the mixture 
acquires a bright yellowish tint. It is then filtered; and the filtered 

1 Bulletin General de Therapeutique. No. 14, Juillet 30, 1837. 

2 Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 261. Stuttgart, 1837. 



220 dunglison's new remedies. 

liquor, which is the hydrocyanate of deutoxide of mercury — con- 
taining, however, some iron — is digested or boiled with an excess 
of the deutoxide of mercury, whereby the oxide of iron is com- 
pletely precipitated. As, however, the hydrocyanate is combined 
with an excess of the oxide of mercury, this must be saturated with 
free hydrocyanic acid, and the solution be evaporated to induce 
crystallisation. In this mode the cyanide is formed: 

The formula of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States, into 
which the cyanuret has been introduced to serve in the preparation 
of the hydrocyanic acid, is the same as that adopted in the Codex 
Medicamentarius of Paris, which was recommended by Berzelius. 
It is as follows : — 

Take of red oxide of mercury, three ounces ; ferrocyanate of 
iron, (Prussian blue,) six ounces ; distilled water, three pints. Put 
the oxide of mercury and the ferrocyanate of iron, previously pow- 
dered and thoroughly mixed together, into a glass vessel; and pour 
upon them two pints of the distilled water. Then boil the mixture, 
stirring constantly, till it becomes of a yellowish colour ; after which 
filter through paper. Wash the residue in a pint of the distilled 
water, and filter as before. Mix the solutions, and evaporate by 
the fire till a pellicle appears ; then set the liquor aside that crystals 
may form. To purify the crystals, dissolve them again in dis- 
tilled water; filter; evaporate the solution, and set it aside to 
crystallise. 1 

The former of these methods is, doubtless, the best, as it ensures 
uniformity, whilst the Prussian blue of commerce being of variable 
strength, the cyanuret, made after the latter formula, must be so 
likewise. 

Schrader directs it to be prepared by mixing a solution of the 
red oxide or deutoxide of mercury with hydrocyanic acid, filtering 
and evaporating. 2 

The cyanuret of mercury forms white, opake, four-sided prisms. 
It is inodorous, and its taste is extremely disagreeable and metallic. 
It is decomposed by heat; is readily soluble in water, and becomes 
converted thereby into hydrocyanate of mercury. It is insoluble 
in alcohol. 

The cyanuret of mercury contains, at times, ferrohydrocyanate 
of potassa, proceeding from the Prussian blue, with which it has 
been prepared. 3 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

According to Co'ullon, the poisonous action of the cyanuret of 
mercury is as rapid as that of the hydrocyanic acid; but, in the 

'Wood and Bache's Dispensatory, Art. Hydrargyri Cyanuretum ; see, 
also, Mr. Ellis, in Journal of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, vi. 24. 
Philad. 1834-5. 

2 See a new process for its preparation, by MM. Chevallier and Deles- 
champs, in Journ. de Chimie Medicale. Janv. 1830. 

3 Orfila, Toxicologic, i. 331. 



HYDRARGYRI CYANURETUM. 221 

dose of from two to five grains, M. Ittner found it produce on dogs 
only signs of indisposition, tremors, &c l It is one of the sub- 
stances which Magendie, 2 in his experiments, found to promote the 
coagulation of the blood. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Parent, 3 who frequently used this preparation, prefers it greatly 
to corrosive sublimate, in consequence of its greater solubility, and 
the capability of more readily affecting the organism by it. In his 
experience, syphilis yields more readily under its use than under 
that of any of the mercurials. He did not observe pains in the 
abdomen accompanying its protracted employment, which he so 
frequently witnessed when the sublimate was taken. Another ad- 
vantage which it possesses, is, that it is not so readily decomposed. 
No salt, no alkali — not even caustic alkali — disturbs it; neither do 
substances that contain azote or gallic acid, which speedily con- 
vert the sublimate into calomel. Moreover, the cyanuret of mercury 
appears to acton the animal textures differently from sublimate. 
AVhen the latter is placed in contact with flesh, it becomes quickly 
changed, in part, into calomel ; whilst the cyanuret preserves the 
flesh equally well, without being decomposed. The hydrocyanic 
acid appears to play no important part in the action of the remedy. 
According to Olivier's experiments. 4 the cyanuret, like the corro- 
sive sublimate, acts as a powerful excitant to the tissues on which 
it is applied. He saw a man destroyed by inflammation of the in- 
testines, who had taken twenty-three grains of it. 

The cyanuret of mercury was first, perhaps, recommended in 
Italy, (Brera), and Spain. Mendoza especially made many trials 
with it, from which he was induced to conclude, that it is the best 
agent we possess in venereal affections — an opinion in which he 
was joined by several of his professional brethren in Malaga. He 
advises, that laudanum should be added to it, on account of its lia- 
bility to excite vomiting. When too large doses were administered, 
or when the patient was unusually impressible, Mendoza found 
that the nervous system became especially disordered — as indicated 
by syncope, oppression, anxiety, and convulsions. Chaussier, 
likewise, as well as Thaer and Horn proposed the cyanuret as a 
remedial agent, at an early period. On the other hand, Wendt, 
Cullerier, and Plisson complain of its little efficacy; whence it has 
been inferred that the preparation must differ; when prepared, in- 
deed, according to the first form, it always contains more or less iron. 5 

Neumann 6 advised it in chronic inflammation of the lungs, and 

1 Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. M<'d. Art. Cyanogene. 

2 Lecjons sur le Sang; and translation in Lond. Lancet, Jan. 20th, 1839, 
p. 636. 

3 Journ. de Cliimie Medicale, viii. 473. 
* Fbid. i. 269. 

6 Riecke, Uie neuern Arzneimiltel, u. s. w. S. 264. Stuttgart, 1837. 
•Hufeland und Osann's Journal, lv. 66. 



222 dunglison's new remedies. 

of the membranous organs of the chest, abdomen and ovaries. In 
particular cases, its use has to be soon pretermitted, in consequence 
of its powerful action, even in small doses — as one eighth of a grain 
three times a day — on the salivary glands. In other cases, it can 
be continued long without the supervention of any unpleasant con- 
sequences. In the Charite, at Berlin, it was used with advantage 
in a case of obstinate cephalalgia, the origin of which was syphi- 
litic. 

Biett has employed it externally — in the form of the ointment 
given below — in cases of humid tetter, accompanied with inflam- 
mation and itching. Parent recommends it to be applied in cases 
of chancre, and Brera uses it in solution, as a gargle, in syphilitic 
ulceration of the fauces. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The cyanuret of mercury may be given in pills or in solution ; 
Horn gave it in powder, but this form is less appropriate. The 
dose is from one sixteenth of a grain to a grain several times a day. 
As a gargle, half a grain to a grain may be dissolved in §j of wa- 
ter ; as an ointment from one and a half to two grains to 3j of lard. 
Chaussier used it in friction on the soles of the feet, in the same 
•way as the corrosive sublimate. 

Solutio Hydrargyri Cyanureti. 

Solution of Cyanide of Mercury. 

(Synonyme. — Liqueur Antisyphilirique de Chaussier.) 

r<. Hydrargyri cyanuret. gr. viij. 
Aquae distillat. ftj. 

Each ounce contains half a grain of the cyanuret. 

Chaussier 1 and Parent. 

B<. Hydrarg. cyanuret. 9ss. 
Solve in 

Aq. distillat. ftj. 
Adde 

Tinctura? opii, 3j. M. 

Dose. — Morning and evening a spoonful, in a decoction of sar- 
saparilla or barley. Mendoza and Parent. 

PilulcB Hydrargyri Cyanureti. 
Pills of Cyanide of Mercury. 

$<. Hydrarg. cyanuret. gr. v. 
Opii puri, J)ss. 
Mica* panis, £j. 
Mellis, q. s. ut riant pilulae xcvj. 

Dose. — One to four, three times a day. Parent. 

1 Rattier, Formulaire Pratique des H6pitaux civils de Paris, 3eme edit. 
Paris, 1827. 



HYDRARGYRI PROTO-IODURETUM. 223 

Gargarisma Hydrargyri Cyanureti. 

Gargle of Cyanide of Mercury. 

5<. Hydrarg.cyanuret.^ss. 

Decoct, len. sem. lini, (vel rad. althseae), ffij. 
M. et fiat gargarisma. 

Parent. 

5<. Hydrarg. cyanur. 9ss. 
Decoct, hordei, Kj. 
Mellis rosati, %]. M. et fiat gargarisma. 



Unguentum Hydrargyri Cyanureti. 

Ointment of Cyanide of Mercury. 

5<. Hydrarg. cyanur. gr. xij. 

Adipis, ^j. M. et fiat unguentum. 



Brera. 



Brera. 






5<. Hydrarg. cyanuret. gr. xvj. 
Adipis,^j. 
01. limonis, gtt. xv. M. 

From half a dram to a dram, to be rubbed in, in cases of tetter. 

Biett. 

III. HYDRARGYRI PROTO-IODURETUM. 

Synonymes. — Hydrargyrum Iodatum flavum, H. Iodidum, H. Iodidulatum, 
H. Iodatum (in contradistinction to the Periodatum), Iodidum Hydrar- 
gyrosum, Hydrargyri Proto-iodidum, Proto-iodide or Proto-ioduret of 
Mercury. 

French. — Proto-iodure de Mercure. 

German. — Gelbes Iodquecksilber, Gelbes Q,uecksilberiodid, Protoiodur des 
Quecksilbers, Q,uecksilberiodidul, Iodquecksilber im Minimum des Iods. 

method of preparing. 

According to Tiinnermann, the best method of preparing the 
Proto-ioduret is the following : — Take of the nitrate of protoxide 
of mercury, (not tinged yellow by the admixture of the nitrate of 
peroxide) 28.25 parts, and 16.5 parts of Iodide of potassium; rub 
them together for some minutes in the dry state, and afterwards 
with a little distilled water, gradually adding the water so as to 
dissolve the saltpetre formed. The mixture is then passed through 
the filter, and the yellowish green precipitate of iodide of mercury 
is well washed, and then dried by a gentle heat. 

The objection to this process is the difficulty of obtaining the 
mercurial salt at a minimum of oxidation, and the consequent lia- 
bility of the resulting compound to contain uncertain quantities of 
the deuto-iodide. M. Boutigny 1 to avoid these disadvantages re- 
commends the following form. 

1 Bulletin General de Therapeutique, and American Journ. of Pharmacy, 
2d vol. 2d series, p. 326. Philad. 1837. 



224 dunglison's new remedies. 

5<. Hydrarg. proto-chlorid. 3 iij & gv. 
Potassii iodidi, 3 i j & giv. 

Pulverise the iodide in a glass mortar, and add the calomel ; place 
the mixture in a porcelain capsule, and pour over it ten or twelve 
ounces of boiling distilled water. After cooling, decant the fluid, 
collect the precipitate on a filter, and wash with distilled water. 
Dry in the shade and keep in a well-stopped bottle. 

The proto-iodide, thus prepared, may, according to M. Boutigny, 
sometimes contain a minute portion of mercury or its protochloride, 
but the quantity of either is so small as to be of no moment. 

In the new London Pharmacopoeia, it is prepared by rubbing to- 
gether an ounce of mercury and five drams of iodine, adding gradu- 
ally as much alcohol as may be sufficient until globules are no longer 
visible. The powder is dried immediately by a gentle heat, access 
of light being excluded, and it is kept in a well stopped vessel. 1 

The proto-iodide, according to Thomson, consists of 250 parts of 
mercury, and 156 parts of iodine. It has a greenish yellow colour, 
and is a preparation holding the same relation to iodine and mer- 
cury, that calomel holds to chlorine and mercury ; it is more vola- 
tile, however, than calomel, but like it is almost insoluble in water. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

This preparation has been less used than the deuto-ioduret, to 
be described next. Tunnermann remarks, as the results of his 
experience, that its action in respect to the mercury, is analogous 
to that of calomel, except that it appears to excite more the lympha- 
tic and glandular systems. When given in conjunction with a 
generous animal diet, he found it very efficacious in a case of scro- 
fulosis, where colliquative sweats had appeared ; and in a second 
case, also, it rendered essential service. In one of the cases, he gave 
it internally in the dose of from one twelfth to one half a grain 
three times a day ; in the other of from one half a grain to a grain. 
He directed it also to be rubbed, in the form of ointment, on the 
tumefied glands of the neck. Pelletan likewise found it serviceable 
in the cure of obstinate glandular swellings, when used in the form 
of ointment in combination with morphine, as well as in cases of 
obstruction of the liver. Biett recommends an ointment of the 
protoioduret in the treatment of chronic venereal ulcers, the cica- 
trisation of which it expedites; Lugol 2 advises it in phagedenic 
scrofulous ulcers, which present a syphilitic aspect ; and Poiret 3 re- 
commends it strongly in cases of psoriasis; the patient using at the 
same time simple alkaline or vapor baths alternately. According 
to the experience of Ricord, 4 in the syphilitic affections of children, 

1 Brande, Dictionary of Materia Medica, p. 289. Lond. 1839. 

2 Essays on the effects of Iodine in scrofulous diseases, &c. by Dr. 
O'Shaughnessy, p. 170. Lond. 1831. 

3 Gazette des Hdpitaux, Juillet 20, 1837; see, also, Bulletin General de 
Therapeutique, Juillet, 1837. 

* La Lancette Francaise, No. 65., 1834. 



V 



HYDRARGYRI PROTO-IODURETUM. 225 

especially of a cutaneous character, it is to be preferred to other 
forms of mercurial, and is not apt to be followed by the bad effects, 
which in adults, often supervene on the use of other preparations. 1 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

On account of its insolubility, it is given only in the form of 
powder or pill, to the extent of from one-twelfth to half a grain, 
twice or thrice a day. Externally, it is applied, for the same rea- 
sons, in the form of ointment only. 

Pilules Hydrargyri Todidi. — (Pharmac. Londin.) 

Pills of the Iodide of Mercury. 

£. Hydrarg. iodidi, gj. 

Confect. rosee canines, ^iij. 
Zingiberis contritse, gj. M. 

PilulcB Hydrargyri Proto-Iodureti Composites. 

Compound Pills of Proto-Iodide of Mercury. 

5<. Hydrarg. proto-iodur. gr. vj. 
Extract, opii, gr. iv. 
Lactucarii, gr. xxiv. 
Ext. guaiac. gr. xlviij. 
M. Fiant pilulae xlviij. 

Dose. — For a chilu, half a year old. one pill ; for older children, 
two, three, or four. In the syphilis of children. Ricord. 

3i. Hydrarg. protc-iodur. gr. j. 
Ext. junip. gr. xij. 
Pulv. glycyrrhiz. q. s. 
Divide in pulv. viij. 

Dose. — At first, two, morning and evening; afterwards, three or 
four. Magendie and Biett. 

Pulveres Hydrargyri Proto-Jodureti. 

Powders of the Proto-Iodide of Mercury. 

5<. Hydrarg. proto-iodur. gr. i, (iv, vj, vel viij.) 
Magnes. alb. 3j. 
M. Et divide in part. xij. 

Dose. — A powder three times a day. 

Unguentum Hydrargyri Proto-Iodureti. 

Ointment of the Proto-Iodide of Mercury. 

fy. Hydrarg. proto-iodur. gr. vj. 
Morphin. acetat. gr. viij. 
Adipis, 3j. M. 

In obstinate glandular swellings. Pelletan. 

1 Cogswell's Essay on Iodine, p. 158. Edinb. 1837. 
9 — c dungl 15 



226 dunglison's new remedies. 

5<. Hydrarg. proto-iodur. 9j. 
Adipis, §iss.' M. 

In old venereal ulcers. Magendie and Biett. 

5<. Hydrarg. proto-iodur. ^ij. (ve\ iij, vel iv.) 
Adipis, §ij. M. 

As a dressing to phagedaenic and scrofulous ulcers. Lugol. 

When this salve is first prepared, it is of a canary yellow, some- 
times of a greenish, colour. By time, it becomes of an orange hue, 
when it must be thrown aside, as, owing to the formation of the 
deuto-ioduret, it has become as corrosive as the ointment of cor- 
rosive sublimate. 

9*. Hydrarg. proto-iodureti, 3j. 
Adipis, :$j. M. 

To be rubbed morning and evening on the parts affected. 

Poiret. 
Unguentum Hydrargyri Iodidi. — (Loud. Pharm.) 
Ointment of Iodide of Mercury. 

?<. Hydrargyr. iodid. 5J. 
Cera? alba?, §ij. 
Adipis, 3vj. M. 

IV. HYDRARGYRI DEUTO-IODURETUM. 

Synonymes.— Hydrargyrum Iodatum Rubruro, H. Biniodidum, H. Perioda- 
tum, Todidum Hydrargyricum, Deutoiodide of Mercury, Biniodide of 
Mereury. 

French.— Deuto-Iodide de Mercure, Periodure de Mercure. 

German. — Rothes Iodquecksilber, Iodquecksilver im Maximum, Quecksil- 
beriodid, Deuto-Iodur des Q,uecksilbers. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to Tiinnermann, this beautiful preparation may be 
obtained by double decomposition, by mixing 137 parts of corrosive 
sublimate with 165 parts of iodide of potassium, rubbing them 
together, for a time, in the dry state, and afterwards with water, to 
dissolve the chloride of potassium formed. To prevent a solution 
of the precipitate in this«alt, the mixture is put into a glass vessel, 
and agitated with a considerable quantity of water, until the super- 
natant liquid appears entirely clear, for which purpose a few 
minutes suffice. It is now filtered; the residue on the filter well 
washed, and gradually dried by warm air. By this process, the 
potassium unites with the chlorine of the mercury, and the mer- 
cury with the iodine in the dry way; the water is only useful in 
removing the chloride of potassium. 

The following is the process recommended in the London Phar- 
macopoeia : — An ounce of mercury and ten drams of iodine are to 

1 Tiinnermann uses only ^ss. 



HYDRARGYRI DEUTO-IODURETUM. 227 

be rubbed together, alcohol being gradually added until the glo- 
bules are no longer visible. The powder is to be dried with a 
gentle heat, and kept in a well-stopped vessel. 

The deuto-ioduret of mercury is a beautiful vermilion-coloured 
powder, which, when moderately heated, becomes yellow, but, when 
exposed to the air, is gradually restored to red, and is volatilised. 
When volatilised, it crystallises in beautiful rhomboidal leaves, 
which, at a higher temperature, are of a golden yellow hue; but 
at the ordinary temperature of a shining red. The deuto-iodide is 
insoluble in water ; but soluble in alcohol and ether. It contains 
250 parts of mercury, and 3L2 of iodine. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

This preparation, which was introduced into practice by the 
French physicians, has been particularly recommended in syphilis 
complicated with scrofula. Biett found it very efficacious in scro- 
fulo-venereal ulcers, in syphilitic swellings of the lymphatic glands, 
and in inveterate itch. He administered it also internally, dis- 
solved in alcohol or ether, in scrofulous affections complicated with 
syphilis, and with advantage. In its effects, it resembles the cor- 
rosive sublimate, whilst the proto-ioduret resembles calomel. 
Rayer, 1 indeed, considers the deuto-iodide more active than the 
corrosive sublimate. Paillard found it very efficacious in chronic 
cutaneous eruptions. He dipped a camel's hair pencil in a weak 
solution of the deuto-ioduret in ether, and penciled the parts with 
it three or four times a day. In this way, he cured several squa- 
mous, tuberculous, and other eruptions, exciting scarcely any pain. 
As, however, this mode of applying it often failed, he employed 3j 
mixed with 3J of oil of almonds in the same manner. If the cor- 
rosive action was considerable, a sense of heat soon arose in the 
part, which gradually terminated in burning pain. The neigh- 
bouring parts were also hot, painful, and tumefied; and, in the 
course of an hour, an effusion of serum took place; but, in four 
or five hours, the pain always disappeared. If applied on the 
cheeks or lips, salivation at times ensued suddenly. Scabs formed, 
which fell off in a feAv days, and exposed a red surface, much 
disposed to cicatrise. When frequently applied, symptoms oc- 
curred, which were probably the consequences of its being ab- 
sorbed, namely, fever, colic, diarrhoea, and dysentery. -Breschet 2 
applied it, in the form of ointment, with great success, in a case of 
obstinate ulceration, presumed to be carcinomatous, at the angle of 
the eye. Blasius recommends it internally and externally in lupus. 
Tun nermann used it with advantage, in the form of ointment, for 



'Treatise on Skin Diseases, by Dr. Willis, p. 79. See, also, Paine, 
Journal des Connaissances Medicates, Oct. et Nov. 1838, & Janvier, 1839. 
* Lugol's Essays on Iodine, by O'Sliaughnessy, p. 204. 



228 dunglison's new remedies. 

Riecke, 1 likewise, employed it as a discutient, (gr. xvj to §j of 
lard,) in a case of ganglion in the region of the knee — whence vio- 
lent pain proceeded along the nerves when it was pressed upon — 
and in two cases of goitre, with great success. Whenever it has 
to be applied over an extensive surface, as in the disease last men- 
tioned, it has generally to be discontinued soon, in consequence of 
the supervention of inflammation of the cutaneous surface. 

In the form of a weak ointment — composed of the deuto-iodide 
gr. ij, cerate 9ij, almond oil 3j — it has been used in opacity of the 
cornea. 2 

Recently, Kopp has published some favourable cases of the the- 
rapeutical application of the deuto-ioduret. The ointment, given 
below, he found very efficacious in luxuriant, chronic, scrofulous, 
and syphilitic sores, as well as in condylomata, and venereal 
blotches. Not less useful did he find it in many other skin dis- 
eases, and particularly in herpes. In one case, in which he ad- 
ministered it in the last affection, he found a coexistent goitre, 
which had been there for several years, almost wholly disappear; 
and he, consequently, afterwards prescribed it frequently lor the 
latter affection. He also used it, with excellent effect, in ophthal- 
mia tarsi, and, where there was a disposition to the formation of 
hordeolum, a little of the second ointment, given hereafter, was ap- 
plied at bed time to the edges of the eyelids. Lastly, he advises 
friction with the first ointment in chronic rheumatic pains, and in 
cases of induration of the glands, especially of the liver. After the 
friction has been continued for some time, an eruption occasionally 
appears. 

We have frequently administered the deuto-ioduret in public and 
in private practice, in cases where an active sorbefacient appeared 
to be needed, and where a combination of remedies so potent as 
mercury and iodine suggested itself. In chronic glandular en- 
largements, especially of the liver and spleen, and in habits where 
the use of mercury was not contra-indicated, both the deuto-ioduret 
and the proto-ioduret have, in our hands, proved extremely ser- 
viceable. Perhaps there are no preparations belonging to the class 
of sorbefacients, which, uuder the circumstances in question merit 
more attention. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The deufo ioduret of mercury is given internally in the form of 
powder or pill, or dissolved in alcohol or ether, in the dose of one 
sixteenth to one fourth of a grain daily. Externally, it is applied 
in the form of ointment. 

1 Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 270. 

2 Giafe und Wallher's Journ. fur Chirurg. Bd. xiii, cited by Pereira, Ele- 
ments of Materia Medica, pt. i, p. 4S3. Lond. 1839. 



HYDRARGYRI DEUTO-IODURETUM. 229 

Pihdce Hydrargyri Deuto-Iodureti. 

Pills of the Deuto-Ioduret of Mercury. 

5=. Hydrarg. deuto-iodur. in syrup, commun. 
pauxill. terendo bene distribuend. gr. v. 
Micae panis alb. 
Pulv. sacch. alb. aa. q. s. ut fiant pilulse lx. 

Dose. — Two. morning and evening, drinking afterwards a cup- 
ful of oatmeal gruel. The dose to be raised gradually. 

Blasius. 

Tinctura Hydrargyri Deuto-Iodureti. 
Tincture of Deuto-Ioduret of Mercury. 

fy. Hvdrarg. deuto-iodur. 9j. 
Alcohol 36° (.837) gissJ M. 

Dose. — Ten to twenty drops in a glass of distilled water. 

Magkndie and Biett. 

JEther Sulphuricus cum Hydrargyri Deuto-iodur eto. 

Sulphuric Ether with Deuto-Ioduret of Mercury. 

£. Hydrarg. deuto-iodur. 9j. 
iEther. sulphur, giss. M. 

Administered like the last. Magendie and Biett. 

Unguentum Hydrargyri Deuto-Iodureti* 

Ointment of Deuto-Ioduret of Mercury. 

5'. Hydrarg. deuto-iodur. subtiliss. trit. gr. vj. 
Adipis, 3vj. M. 

Kopp. 

5«. Hydrargvr. deuto-iodur. subtiliss. pulv. gr. § to i. 
Adipis. 9ij. 
Cera? albae, gr. ij. 
M. fiat unguentum. 

For an eye salve. Kopp. 

5<. Hydrargyri deuto-iodur. gr. xv. 
Adipis, ^ss. 
M. exactissime. Fiat ung. 

As a dressing in lupus. Blasius. 

5<. Hydrarg. deuto-iodur. gr. xv. 
Adipis, 3ij. 
01. bergamot. gtt. x. M. 

To be rubbed on the parts in chronic cutaneous affections. 

Biett. 

&. Hydrarg. deuto-ioduc. 9j. 
Adipis, ^iss. M. 
To be spread thin on lint in old venereal ulcerations. 

Biett. 



230 dunglison's new remedies. 



INDIGUM. 

Synonymes — Indicum, Indicus Color, Pigmentum Indicum, Indigo. 
German. — Indig. 

This well-known colouring material is obtained from several 
species of the genus Indigofera, (I. tinctoria, I. anil, I. disperma, 
I. argentea, and I. hirsuta,) belonging to the natural family Legu- 
minosse, and, in the Linneean system, to the class Diadelphia, order 
Decandria. As we receive it, it is in small, solid, brittle masses, of 
a deep azure colour, without smell or taste, and assuming a coppery 
lustre on being rubbed. It is entirely soluble in sulphuric acid, 
and is wholly consumed on burning coals. According to the 
analysis of Chevreul, 100 parts of the Guatemala indigo of com- 
merce contain only 45 parts of pure indigo, or indigo-blue — with 
which no therapeutical experiments have as yet been made ; the 
greater part of the residue consists of a green matter soluble in 
spirit of wine, (indig o- gr een ;) and a red resin, (indigo-red ;) the 
rest is extractive matter, gum, and some carbonate of lime, oxide 
of iron, argillaceous and siliceous earth. With hydrogen, pure 
indigo forms isatic acid, which has considerable resemblance to the 
hydrocyanic. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The natives of the countries where the different kinds of indigo 
grow, employ it occasionally as a therapeutical agent, especially in 
diarrhoea and intermittent fever. It is only within the last few 
years that attention has been paid to it in Europe. Professor Von 
Stahly, 1 of Ofen, appears to have first employed it with success in 
various spasmodic diseases, especially in epilepsy. To these cases 
Lenhossek alludes, in detailing certain trials which he himself had 
made with it. In 1833, Grossheim 2 made known a case, in which 
he found it extremely useful. A lady, twenty-eight years of age, 
had suffered for eleven years with violent hysterical convulsive 
attacks, for which she had employed almost every remedial agent. 
The attacks began with a feeling of heaviness over the whole body, 
with slight convulsive twitchings of the limbs, which extended to 
the trunk, and were followed by total, or almost total, loss of con- 
sciousness : this, after an uncertain period, terminated in a coma- 
tose state, from which she was gradually restored — but in a languid 
condition — to perfect consciousness. Under the use of indigo for 
half a year, with pediluvia, which had been previously employed 
without advantage, she completely recovered. 

These results gave occasion to the institution of experiments, 

1 Hecker's neue Annalen, B. i, H. 1. Berlin, 1835. 

2 Mediscinische Zeitung, No. 51, 1833. 



INDIGUM. 231 

touching the remedial properties of indigo, in the Charite at Berlin, 
the results of which have been given by Roth. 1 In most of the 
cases, the indigo excited nausea, and even vomiting, preceded by a 
metallic taste on the tongue. At times, the vomiting was so violent 
and prolonged, that it was necessary to discontinue it ; but gene- 
rally, on continuing the use of the indigo, the vomiting ceased in 
three or four days, and diarrhoea took its place. All the patients 
did not vomit, and many escaped the diarrhoea. When once 
diarrhoea occurred, however, it commonly persisted so long as the 
indigo was used. The evacuations were seldom entirely fluid, but 
usually semifluid, and of a dark bluish-black colour. While the 
vomiting and purging continued, more or less uneasiness was ex- 
perienced in the digestive apparatus. The vomiting and diarrhoea 
were frequently accompanied by pains in the stomach and bowels, 
which were commonly mild, but occasionally so violent that the 
indigo had to be discontinued. In every patient at the Charite, the 
urine was of a dark violet hue. Stahly affirmed, that the perspira- 
tion was coloured blue, but this Roth never observed. He re- 
marked, moreover, that after the use of indigo for several weeks, 
certain patients were easily thrown into slight convulsions, similar 
to those caused by the use of the nitrate of strychnine, and that 
they were affected with slight subsultus tendinum. Almost all the 
patients, indeed, who took indigo, were at first more frequently 
attacked with spasms than prior to the use of the remedy. In the 
beginning, the attacks of the disease were, in all cases, stronger, 
but of less duration, than previous to its employment. These 
changes continued for one, two, three, and even as long as eight 
weeks, whether the patients took small or large doses of indigo. 
At the expiration of this time, all the epileptic symptoms were 
diminished in intensity and duration, until the last attacks were 
mere premonitions. 

The number of epileptic cases, treated by indigo, which Roth 
had an opportunity of observing in the Charite, was twenty-six; of 
these, nine were cured, eleven improved, and six remained un- 
cured. 

Dr. Ideler, 2 who instituted the experiments at the Charite, has 
also yiven publicity to the results ; and his testimony accords with 
that of Roth. It is proper to observe, however, that of the nine 
cases cured, three experienced relapses in from eight to twelve 
months ; but from causes, according to Riecke, 3 which, of them- 
selves, might have induced epilepsy. 

Dr. Strahl, 4 of Berlin, likewise experimented with the indigo, 
but his results were by no means favourable. In ten cases of old 

1 Hecker's neue Annalen, B. i, Heft. 1. Berlin, 1835. 

2 Medicinische ZeitUDg, No. vi. and Lancet, June 6, 1835. 

3 Op. cit. S. 276. 

4 Hecker's Neue wissenschaftliche Annalen, 1836; and Edinb. Med. and 
Surs;. Journal, 1837. 



232 dungltson's new remedies. 

standing- epilepsy, the indigo was not of the slightest service, and 
the same may be said of two cases of St. Vitus's dance. In four 
cases of hysteria, it excited violent nephralgia, and in one of the 
cases only, after the affection of the kidney was removed, was the 
patient cured. The indigo acted, however, signally on the uterus; 
in two cases of spasmodic affections complicated with amenorrhcea, 
the latter derangement was removed, whilst the spasms, even after 
the recurrence of the catamenia, still continued. In the Charite of 
Berlin, the purest Guatemala indigo of commerce was used, and it 
may be a question, whether Strahl did not employ one of feebler 
powers. It is worthy of remark, that he observed a dark green 
colour of the urine during its use, whilst in the cases in the Charite, 
a dark violet hue was constantly noticed. 

Favourable cases are also detailed by Drs. Mankiewicz, of 
Nackel, 1 and Hohnhorst, of Frankfort. 2 

Dr. Noble, of Versailles. 3 administered it in three cases, in which 
the disease had continued for four, twelve, and twenty years re- 
spectively. At the time of making known the results, a month had 
elapsed in the first case and two months in the second, since an 
attack had been experienced, and the last case he considered en- 
tirely cured. In the first patient, who was eighteen years old, four 
drams occasioned vertigo, slight deprivation of vision, and convul- 
sions similar to those produced by strychnine ; and in both the 
other cases, diarrhoea was induced, which ceased, however, as soon 
as the indigo was discontinued or the dose reduced one half. He 
gave it in the dose of one dram gradually increased to four drams 
daily. 

The observations of Rech, of Montpellier, were not as favourable 
to the indigo. In none of the epileptics to whom he gave it was 
there any thing more thin a slight amelioration. In the Hospice 
d'Hommes Incurables du Faubourg St. Martin, trials were also 
made with it by Dr. Blanche. Often cases five were either cured 
or improved. One of these had existed for three years, and the 
paroxysms recurred every five or six days ; but after the administra- 
tion of the indigo, he had no return at the expiration of five months ; 
in a second case, a youth fifteen years old — who had been epileptic 
from birth, and had regularly one or two paroxysms a day, from 
the 19th of July, when the exhibition of the indigo was begun with 
until the middle of August, when the results were published — had 
only two insignificant attacks. The improvement in the other 
three cases was not as marked, yet it was unquestionable. The 
other five children experienced no improvement, yet no inconve- 
nience was sustained, although the indigo was given in doses of 
four, six, and eight drams in the day. It was administered in wa- 
ter or in a tisane; and in one or two cases it excited vomiting, but 



1 Medicin. Zeitung. Mai 31, 1837, S. 109. 

2 Ibid. S. 110. 

3 Bulletin General de Therapeutique, 1836. 



INDIGUM. 233 

after having been discontinued, it was borne subsequently. In all 
it induced tormina, and acted upon the bowels, but did not interfere 
with the appetite or any of the other functions. 

Very recently, Dr. Benjamin F. Hardy, 1 one of the senior resident 
physicians at the Philadelphia Hospital, has published the results 
of some trials made with the indigo, which, so far as they go, con- 
firm its antiparoxysmal power. Two of the seven cases reported 
were apparently cured, two ameliorated, and three without any de- 
cisive results — the medicine not having been continued perhaps 
for a sufficient length of time. In these cases, the indigo was com- 
menced in the dose of 3j, which was usually doubled daily until 
the patient, took giji daily, which quantity was persevered in for 
some weeks. In some of the cases the faeces, urine, and perspira- 
tion were all coloured blue. 

In other trials, instituted in the same excellent charity, with the 
indigo, the results were not as favourable. It is obvious indeed, 
that a wide difference must exist amongst cases of epilepsy, and 
that where the organic modifications are considerable, as indi- 
cated by concomitant mania or idiocy, but little can be expected 
from any remedy; but even in such hopeless cases, the number of 
paroxysms appears to have diminished under its use. Where the 
cerebral affection is slight and more functional than organic, the 
indigo, like the artemisia and other remedies extolled in epilepsy, 
may be useful. Its main efficacy, perhaps — as we have said of 
the Ferrum Carbonatum Prascipitatum (p. 175) — consists in the 
new impression which it makes, in adequate doses, upon the nerves 
of the stomach, and through them upon those of the whole system ; 
but to effect the revulsion to the proper extent, it is necessary that 
the dose should be augmented day by day, and the remedy be con- 
tinued in large doses for a sufficient length of time. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

As the indigo is extremely light, the powder is too bulky for ad- 
ministration ; it is taken with disgust, and is apt to excite vomiting. 
On this account, the form of electuary was selected in the Charite. 
It was generally combined with the pulvis aromaticus, or thepulvis 
Doveri. As to the dose, Roth advises, that it should be commenced 
in grains but be elevated to drams, nay even to one or more ounces 
in the day. In the Charite* the following formulas were generally 
employed : — 

Pulvis Tndigi. 

Powder of Indigo. 

*. Indig. subtilissim. pulver. Jss. 

Pulv. aromat. gr. v. M. et fiat pulvis. 

A powder to be given four times a day. 

1 American Medical Intelligencer, for July 15, 1839, p. 122. 



234 dunglison's new remedies. 

Electuarium Indigi. 

Electuary of Indigo. 

5<. India;, pulv. aquae guttis nonnullis subact. ^ss. 
Pulv. aromat. gss. 
Syr. simpl. §j. 
M. et fiat electuarium. 

To be used in the course of the day. Ideler. 



IODTNUM. 

Synonymes. — Iodiniurn, Iodium, Iodura, Iodina, Iodine. 
French. — lode. 
German. — Iod. 

Iodine was accidentally discovered, in the year 1812, by Courtois, 
a manufacturer of saltpetre at Paris, but it was chiefly through the 
labours of Gay-Lussac and Sir Humphry Davy, 1 that the chemical 
relations of this elementary body were appreciated. The discoverer 
first detected it in the mother waters of soda obtained from sea-weed ; 
and as it was found to exist chiefly in several of the sea-weeds, and 
especially in the sponges, it struck Coindet, 2 that experiments 
might be made with it in goitre ; from these he obtained such 
valuable results that its reputation soon spread abroad, and it was 
employed in various other diseases, — often with the most marked 
advantage. 

By experience, too, the injurious effects which it is generally 
considered capable of inducing were appreciated, so that, it could 
be administered more satisfactorily than at an earlier period. 

By the continued investigations of the chemist, iodine was found 
to be more largely distributed than was at first imagined. It was 
discovered in many of the marine mollusca, in sea-water, and in 
several mineral waters. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Iodine is obtained from the mother waters of the soda derived 
from sea-plants, in which it exists in the form of hydriodate of 
potassa. The waters are procured by burning different kinds of 
weeds which grow on the sea-shore, lixiviating the ashes, and con- 
centrating the liquor. To obtain the iodine from this liquor, an 
excess of concentrated sulphuric acid is added to it, and the whole 

1 Annales de Chimie, lxxxviii. xc. and torn. xci. and Philos. Transact. 
1814 and 1815. 

2 Bibliotheque Universelle, Juillet, 1820, p. 190. 



IODINUM. 235 

is boiled gently in a glass retort furnished with a receiver. The 
sulphuric acid lays hold of the basis of the hydriodic salt, and of the 
hydrogen of the hydriodic acid ; whence result sulphate of potassa, 
water, sulphurous acid and iodine ; the last passing over into the 
receiver in violet fumes with a little acid, and there becoming con- 
densed. To purify the iodine, it may be washed with water, con- 
taining a little potassa, and be redistilled. 1 

Iodine is solid at the ordinary temperature, of a foliated appear- 
ance, metallic lustre ; of a grayish black colour similar to that of 
plumbago, and friable. Its taste is hot, notwithstanding its sparing 
solubility in water. It is soluble in 7000 parts of that fluid, and 
the solution has an orange yellow colour. Its specific gravity is 
4.946 at 62° of Fahrenheit. Its smell is similar to that of chlorine, 
with which it accords in its property of destroying- vegetable colours. 
It possesses, in a high degree, electro-negative properties. It 
colours the skin yellow, which colour gradually disappears. It 
fuses at 220° Fahrenheit. The vapour is of a beautiful violet 
colour, whence its name (iu$n<;, 'blue'). It is soluble in ether and in 
alcohol ; forms an acid both with oxygen and hydrogen, and enters 
into numerous chemical combinations. 2 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

Soon after the discovery of iodine, and the accurate investiga- 
tions of Gay-Lussac, Magendie 3 instituted a series of experiments 
in order to appreciate its action on the animal organism. It was 
injected into the veins without any apparent effect. Several dogs 
were made to swallow it; they vomited, but it exerted no farther 
effect. He himself swallowed a coffee-spoonful of the tincture, and 
perceived no other result than a disagreeable taste, which continued 
for several hours, but gradually disappeared. In larger doses, how- 
ever, the effects were markedly injurious. Orfila 4 likewise instituted 
several experiments on dogs, from which he concludes : — that 
iodine, introduced into the stomach in moderate quantity, acts as a 
gentle stimulant, but may excite vomiting: — that in the dose of a 
dram, it almost always killed the animal in four or five days, when 
the oesophagus had been tied to prevent vomiting, and that in the 
part of the mucous membrane with which it came in contact, 
ulcers were gradually formed : — that when administered in the dose 
of from two to three drams, when the oesophagus was not tied, it 
excited vomiting for several hours, even when a part of the poison 
had been evacuated by the bowels ; — that it seldom caused death 

1 For the method employed by Soubeiran, see Journal de Pharmacie, 
Janvier, 1837 ; for that by Barruel, see Bussy, Ibid. 

2 See, on Iodine and its combinations, Mr. Duhamel, in Philad. Journal of 
Pharmacy, vi. 101. Philad. 1823--4. 

3 Formulaire pour la preparation,' &c. de plusieurs nouveaux Medicamens. 

4 Toxicologic, i. 556. 



236 dunglison's new remedies. 

when given in the dose of one or two drams, the animal rejecting it 
by repeated vomiting ; that it does not destroy life when applied 
externally, and that it must be classed amongst the irritant poisons. 
Dr. Cogswell,' in repeating one of Orfila's experiments, in which 
seventy-two grains of iodine were introduced into a wound on the 
back of a doi; without much effect on the health of the animal, did 
not attain exactly the same results. He introduced a scruple of 
iodine into the cellular tissue of the thigh of an adult rabbit, through 
a small opening made in the skin. The animal manifested no 
symptom of pain, and was able to make use of the limb as freely as 
before the operation, but, in the course of a fortnight, it gradually 
lost flesh, exhibiting an emaciated look, and the hair dropped off 
from many parts of the head. At the end of this time, thick 
adhesive pus was found distending the cavity of the wound, from 
which the iodine had entirely disappeared. Dr. Cogswell properly 
suggests, however, the possibility, that the irritation of a large 
abscess might have been the sole origin of the animal's unhealthy 
appearance. 

To discover the effects, which it induces on man, Orfila took two 
grains fasting. An extremely disagreeable taste, with some nausea, 
was the only consequence. On the next day, early, he took four 
grains, when he immediately experienced a sense of constriction 
and heat in the throat, which continued for a quarter of an hour ; 
soon afterwards he vomited a liquid yellowish matter, in which 
iodine was easily perceptible. Except a slight degree of oppression 
felt during the day, he observed no change in any of the functions. 
On the second day thereafter, he took six grains fasting, after 
which, he soon experienced a sense of heat, constriction of the 
throat, nausea, eructation, increased flow of saliva, and pain at the 
pit of the stomach ; ten minutes afterwards, he was attacked with 
copious bilious vomiting, and slight colic pains, which continued 
for an hour, and were removed by two emollient glysters. The 
pulse which, prior to the experiments, beat sixty times in the 
minute, became more frequent, beating from eighty-three to ninety, 
and was much stronger. The breathing was tolerably free ; but 
from time to time, there appeared to be a great obstacle to the 
dilatation of the chest on inspiration. The urine was higher 
coloured. All the symptoms were removed by the copious use of 
gum water as drink, and of emollient glysters. 

Dr. Gully says, that he has given as much as three drams of 
the tincture daily, and did not observe any effect. Dr. Kennedy, 2 
of Glasgow, exhibited, within eighty days, nine hundred and fifty- 
three grains of iodine in the form of tincture, the doses having 
been so proportioned, that, towards the last, the patient — a girl — 
did not seem to be in any way particularly affected. 

1 Experimental Essay on Iodine and its compounds. Bv C. Cogswell, 
A. B. M. D. p. 21. Edinb. 1837. 

2 Lond. Med. Repository for 1822. 



IODINUM. 237 

Dr. Buchanan 1 has given half an ounce of the iodide of potas- 
sium within twelve hours, without any unpleasant result, provided 
diluents were largely taken at the same time. It has been con- 
ceived, that where iodine proves -mischievous, it is owing to its 
being in a free state, and that it then operates as a corrosive poison. 
The tincture of iodine, and the iodurelted hydriodates, are esteemed 
to be objectionable on this account. 2 

From experiments, instituted by Jorg 3 on himself and on other 
healthy individuals, it appeared to him, that iodine, first of all, 
acts as a stimulant on the intestinal canal ; soon afterwards, it 
excites, also, the different glands in the cavity of the mouth and 
stomach, the pancreas, the liver, and even the urinary and genital 
organs. An afflux of blood to the respiratory organs likewise 
ensues, which extends even as far as the Schneiderian membrane. 
There is no doubt whatever that the iodine enters into the blood, 
and, in this way, doubtless produces its modifications on the system 
of nutrition. Two drams, according to Dr. Buchanan, 4 were given 
to a young man labouring under gonorrhoea, and, as soon as the 
medicine made its appearance in the urine, blood was drawn from 
the arm. On examining it, both the serum and the crassamentum 
were found deeply impregnated with iodine. The same dose was 
given to a boy affected with dropsy of the knee-joint. About five 
hours after the dose had been taken, a very small puncture was 
made into the joint, and upwards of twelve ounces of synovia 
drawn off by a cupping-glass. The synovia contained iodine in 
abundance. To an old man, who had a very large hydrocele, two 
drams of iodide of potassium weregiven over night, and the same 
quantity the following morning: on tapping him some hours after 
he had taken the last dose, more than thirty ounces of serum were 
drawn off, containing a large quantity of iodine. 5 

Dr. Gardner' 5 observed the action of iodine on the human body 
when administered in particular doses, and pointed out the dis- 
advantages attendant upon an improvident use of the article. The 
most striking inconveniences were induced in the digestive organs: 
it excited diarrhoea, and, at times, obstinate constipation ; gastro- 
dynia and violent vomiting, especially when food was received into 
the stomach. 

The emaciation occasioned by it, is, according to some, a 
striking phenomenon; and may attain an incredible extent ; yet 



1 Lond. Med. Gazette, July, 1836. See, also, Fuster, in Bullet. General 
de Therap. Fev. 1837, & Sep. 1837. 

g Biaude's Dictionary of the Materia Medica, p. 323. Lond. 1839. 

s Materialen zu einei kunft. Heilmittellehre, u. s. w. i. 473. 1824. 

4 Op. cit. 

6 Brande, Op. citat. p. 321, Lond. 1839. See, also, M. Cantu, in Journal 
de Chimif Medicale, ii. 291 & 394 ; and Bennersclieidt, Ibid. iv. 383. 

• Essay ou the Effects oi" Iodine, &c. Lond. 1824. 



238 dunglison's new remedies. 

it is proper to remark, that Lugol. 1 in his frequent employment of 
iodine in scrofula, never observed this result: he affirms, indeed, 
that emaciated patients became stronger under its use ; that the 
stout did not grow leaner, and that they who held the medium po- 
sition, in these respects, acquired strength under its employment, — 
results which have been confirmed by others, and which would, 
therefore, seem to show that this, as well as some of the other un- 
pleasant effects ascribed to iodine, may have been owing to an in- 
cautious use of the article. 

In addition to the above effects, Gairdner noticed anxiety, de- 
pression of spirits, and other symptoms similar to those of hypo- 
chondriasis; obscurity of vision; hardness of hearing; palpitations; 
and tremors of the limbs, particularly of the hands, which last 
symptom indicated the full effect of iodine on the constitution. 
Dr. Gairdner found, however, that the remedy was extremely vari- 
able in its effects ; and that it might frequently be given in large 
doses, for a long time, without disadvantage, whilst, at other times, 
the unpleasant symptoms supervened rapidly; indicating that 
much must depend upon the peculiar impressibility of the indi- 
vidual. 

Coindet, 2 who, as we have remarked, first used the iodine as a 
therapeutical agent, speaks of many of the above-mentioned phe- 
nomena as resulting from the administration of iodine ; these he 
considers evidences of the saturation of the organism, as the effect 
on the mouth is an index of the same thing in the case of mer- 
cury. It appears, however, to be never necessary, in the admi- 
nistration of iodine, to induce a saturation of the organism in order 
that the full sanative influence of the remedy shall be elicited. On 
the contrary, it seems to be advisable to avoid such saturation ; 
and, accordingly, whenever there are the slightest indications of it, 
the dose of the iodine should be diminished, or it should be dis- 
continued for a time; after which — according to the results of 
numerous cases — its curative agency, when it is resumed, is ex- 
erted afresh, and more decidedly. Several physicians, indeed, 
advise that frequent intermissions should be made in the use of the 
agent, in order that its action may be more certain. 

According to the observations of Coindet and Formey, iodine, 
when administered internally, occasions increase of appetite ; but 
no influence is perceptible on the condition of the bowels and uri- 
nary organs ; or on the perspiratory apparatus. On the other 
hand, when breathed for a few instants, the vapours of iodine twice 
caused in M. Chevallier 3 violent colic, which readily yielded to 
gum water and laudanum. Raspail, however, under analogous 

1 Memoire sur l'emploi de l'lode dans les Maladies scrofuleuses. Paris, 
1S29; and Observations on the Effects of Iodine, p. 17, Johnson's trans- 
lation. Lond. 1824. 

2 Bibliotheque universelle, Mars, Avril, Mai, et Septembre, 1821. 

3 Journ. General de Med. ciii. 336. 



IODINUM. 239 

circumstances, experienced no other inconvenience than a disagree- 
able taste in the back part of the mouth. According to Lugol, the 
vapour disengaged from tincture of iodine poured into the water 
of a bath, is liable to induce a state of "iodic intoxication," and 
even of cerebral congestion. He affirms, that it exerted a power- 
ful diuretic influence on all his patients, the urinary secretion 
being so much augmented, that many of them, contrary to their 
usual habit, were compelled to rise from bed several times in the 
night to discharge their urine. In upwards of a third it had a 
cathartic effect, producing six or seven evacuations in the day, and 
occasionally tormina. In several, ptyalism ensued. Others, and 
especially females, complained of gastrodynia, which was always 
removed by the wine of cinchona, of which two or three ounces 
were taken shortly after the iodine. 

Dr. Manson, 1 who used the tincture of iodine, occasionally found 
it produce sickness of stomach, and Mr. Delisser affirms, that, in 
two months, he gave one thousand and nineteen grains of iodine 
to a female affected with cancer of the mamma, — the doses, at cer- 
tain periods, amounting to thirty grains in the twenty-four hours. 
The consequences were anorexia, quick pulse, ulceration of the 
mouth, and fcetor of the breath, of a different kind, however, from 
that which arises from mercury. 

It would appear, that the effects of the remedy vary according to 
the form in which it is administered, and it is proper to observe, in 
viewing the different results obtained by Lugol and Coindet, that 
the latter commonly gave the tincture of iodine, whilst the former 
prescribed the solution in water, with a little muriate of soda. 
Lugol also observes, that the appetite of his patients was very 
much increased by it. Eager, who likewise administered the 
watery solution, but rarely observed diarrhoea and emaciation ; and, 
in general, indeed, the appetite and nutrition improved under it. At 
times, ulceration took place in the mouth, whereby the breath 
assumed a mercurial foetor, and salivation has been observed 
from it, according to Manson, 2 Winslow, 3 Ely, 4 Mackall, 5 and 
others ; but Riecke 6 suggests, that this, perhaps, only occurred in 
those, who, along with the use of iodine internally, had employed 
the ioduret of mercury externally. On the genital organs, Eager 
found it to act as an excitant ; it augmented the activity of the 
uterus, and rendered the catamenia more abundant. It is asserted, 
too, to have increased the sexual appetite, but this is questionable ; 
during its use, indeed, the testes in men, and the mammas in 



1 Medical Researches on the Effects of Iodine. Lond. 1825. 

2 Op. citat. p. 61. 

3 Lond. Med. Gaz. for 1836, p. 401. 
* Ibid. p. 480. 

8 Medico-Chirurg. Review, Jan. 1836. 

6 Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 282. 



240 dunglison's new remedies. 

women, have been observed to disappear ;* but this, as we shall 
see, is certainly not a common occurrence. 2 On the other hand, it 
has been imagined to cause sterility. Two cases are detailed by 
Dr. Robe H. Rivers, 3 in which barrenness succeeded to its admi- 
nistration. Magendie. on giving it as an emmenagogue to a young 
lady of unsuspected virtue, brought on abortion. 4 

Krirrer several times observed, even when the tincture was 
given in small doses, considerable metrorrhagia, epistaxis, haemop- 
tysis, obstinate diarrhrjea. leucorrhoea, &c. supervene under its 
use. Cases of suppression of the hemorrhoidal flux are asserted to 
have been restored by it. 5 

Jahn 6 found, in the bodies of two persons, who had long made 
use of iodine, wasting of the fat ; softness and laxity of all the 
organs and tissues ; diminution and disappearance of the glands, 
and glandiform bodies, — the mesenteric glands ; suprarenal cap- 
sules, & ., — and the cellular tissue appeared to exist in smaller 
quantity. In the case of a female, who died from the excessive 
use of the tincture, Zinck 7 found the bowels inflated with gas ; in 
some parts highly inflamed ; in others, exhibiting an approach to 
sphacelation, both within and without: the inner membrane of the 
stomach displayed redness, growing deeper from the cardiac to- 
wards the pyloric orifice, where the organ looked as if it had 
undergone corrosion ; the liver was large and reddened ; and 
there was ecchymosis of the spleen. Dr. Christison 8 is of opinion 
that iodine is capable of inflaming the latter organ. 

From the testimony of many observers, it can scarcely be 
doubted that the iodine disease, or iodosis, or iodism, as it has been 
termed, may become dangerous to life : generally, however, it is 
not really so much so as it appears, and is considered to be, and 
the evil consequences may be readily avoided by proper foresight. 
Cases, however, have occurred, in which its use has been followed 
by fatal results f hence the necessity of circumspection in the em- 
ployment of so energetic a therapeutical agent. 

To avoid evil consequences, Wutzer advises that the iodine 
should be immediately discontinued, whenever a feeling of in- 
creased heat in the pharynx and stomach is experienced imme- 
diately after it is taken; but as this evidence cannot be available 

'Christison, Treatise on Poisons, p. 180; Cogswell on Iodine, p. 47; 
Edinb. 1837. 

2 Pereira, in Lond. Med. Gaz. vol. xvii; and Diet, de Mat. Med., par 
Metat & De Lens, Art. lode. 

3 American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Aug. 1831, p. 546. 

4 Formulary. Gully's edit. p. 105. 

' See Ashwell, in Guy's Hospital Reports, vol. i.; and Cogswell, Op. cit. 
p. 43. 

6 Archiv. fur medicin. Erfahrung, i, 342, 1829; and Journal Complement, 
du Diet, des Sciences Medicales, xxxv. 362. 

7 Journ. Complem. du Diet, des Sciences Medicales, xviii. 231. 

8 Treatise on Poisons. 

• Sir B. Brodie, Lancet, Mar. 30, 1839. 



IODINUM. 241 

in small children, attention should be paid, whether, after the 
medicine has been taken, the temperature of the skin becomes 
more elevated ; the pulse quicker, and whether there is any evi- 
dence of pain when pressure is made On the epigastric region. He, 
moreover, advises, that it should not be given internally to children 
at the breast. 

It has been affirmed, that if the iodine be combined with small 
doses of opium, all the disadvantages, immediate and remote, may 
be avoided ; and it is always more advisable to give it in small 
doses for a longer, than in very large for a shorter, period. At 
times, it will happen, that in chronic affections — in which it is 
chiefly used — its beneficial agency may not be decidedly manifested 
until after the lapse of four or five months ; and it is important to 
bear this in mind, as both practitioner and patient are apt to become 
dissatisfied, unless the remedy exhibits its action more speedily. 
When the iodine acts beneficially, the appetite is augmented, or is 
not deteriorated ; digestion improves, so that the patient is able to 
take more food, and experiences less inconvenience therefrom : the 
secretion of the bile is increased, and the evacuations are more 
copious, and of a yellower hue; the peristaltic action goes on more 
energetically, and the patient gains strength. Such, at least, are 
the signs that are considered by many to indicate that the iodine 
agrees ; but the absence of all disagreeable consequences is a suffi- 
cient index. 

To remove the symptoms of iodine disease, or iodosis, (iodkrank- 
heit,) general or local bloodletting has been employed ; with 
warm bathing, the use of milk, emulsions of gum arabic, and the 
like, with rigid diet and rest. The preparations of hydrocyanic 
acid have also been given with advantage in the palpitation, tre- 
mours, and other nervous symptoms that sometimes follow the use 
of iodine. 

Precaution is requisite in the case of impressible, and also — it 
has been conceived — in robust persons, 1 for fear of the supervention 
of hypersemias. It is advisable, too, during its administration, to 
let the diet be sparing, and devoid of all heating qualities. Kolley 2 
remarks, that iodine occasionally exerts a most unfavourable influ- 
ence on the nervous system, so that in those, who are easily ex- 
citable, unusual pains may be brought on by the use of even three 
or four drops of the tincture ; — these pains, at times, ending in vio- 
lent spasms. Such persons exhibit the impressibility, even under 
very minute doses, by fidgetiness, or restlessness of the limbs, so 
that they can scarcely be kept quiet: after a time, numbness and 
heaviness in all the limbs : heaviness of the head, and a species of 
inebriation 3 succeed, with violent cephalalgia, spasms, tremors of 

' Riecke, Op. cit. S. 284. 

2 Journal Complementaire, xvii. 307. 

3 Giddiness was observed by Dr. Manson, (Researches on the Effects of 
Iodine, p. 6t, Load. 1825;) Ashwell, (Guy's Hospital Reports, i. 136;) and 

9 — d dungl 16 



242 dunglison's new remedies. 

the limbs, paralysis, 1 prostration, spasms, depravation of vision, and 
disposition to lamentation and distress. Some of these nervous 
symptoms we have occasionally noticed, when the dose of iodine 
has been rapidly augmented. Where the person is liable to gastric 
uneasiness, caution is requisite in the use of the remedy, as it not 
unfrequently occasions dyspepsia and violent gastrodynia. All 
febrile and purely inflammatory diseases, according to Kolley, 
forbid its use. 

Of late, Dr. Andrew Buchanan 2 affirms, that he has never wit- 
nessed any of the unpleasant symptoms that have been ascribed to 
the iodine. He asserts, that he has never seen its use "followed by 
wasting of the testicles or mammas, by palpitations, faintness, ex- 
cessive debility, hurried, anxious breathing, dinginess of the sur- 
face, copious clammy sweats, increased menstrual discharge, or an 
oily appearance of the urine, which are enumerated amongst the 
symptoms characterising the supposed affection, termed iodism." 
As regards the wasting of the mammas and testicles, Mr. Pereira 
suspects it to be very rare. He has seen iodine administered, he 
remarks, in some hundreds of cases, and never met with one in 
which atrophy of either organ occurred. Magendie, also, remarks, 
that he has never witnessed these effects, although they are said to 
be frequent in Switzerland. 3 Our own experience accords with 
that of those gentlemen. We have prescribed, and seen it pre- 
scribed, largely, both in public and in private ; yet no such results 
have ever supervened. In the Philadelphia Almshouse, great 
attention was paid to the condition of the testes, in several cases in 
which it was administered, yet no clear case of atrophy occurred. 4 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Iodine exhibits itself as a most efficacious remedy in a variety of 
diseases, in which it is desirable to augment the activity of the ab- 
sorbent system. In referring to its use in the following diseases, 
the remarks apply not only to the pure iodine, but to the hydrio- 
dates of the alkalies, especially the hydriodate of potassa ; the 
medical properties of which accord with those of iodine. 

Bronchocele. — The very first experiments made with iodine 
were on goitre. Coindet recommended it strongly in that affec- 
tion, and Pormey 5 first introduced it into Germany. Coindet gave, 
in the first instance, the tincture internally, and he remarked, that 
about a week after the commencement of its use, the skin over the 

Lugol, (Essays on the Effects of Iodine in Scrofulous Diseases, O'Shaugh- 
nessy's translation, p. 73, Lond. 1831.) 

1 Sir B. Brodie. Lancet, 1832; Manson, Op. citat. ; and Sir A. Cooper, 
Lancet, ii. 147. 

2 Lond. Med. Gaz. July 2, 1836. 

3 Pereira, Elements of Materia Medica. pt. i. p. 114. Lond. J839. 

4 Dr. A. M. Vedder, in American Medical Intelligencer, for Sept. 1, 1S38. 

5 Bemerk. uber den Kropf, u. s. w. Berlin, 1820; and Hufeland's Journal, 
B. Ii. St. 4, S. 91. 



IODINUM. 243 

goitre generally became less tense, the substance of the tumour felt 
softer, without the tumefaction having abated; the particular por- 
tions of the gland became more distinct, and separated from each 
other; and less and less hard, until gradually a diminution was 
perceptible. Frequently the goitre disappeared completely, in the 
space of from six to ten weeks, under the continued use of the 
remedy. At an after period, he employed the iodine externally, in 
which form of administration, the evil consequences, sometimes 
induced by it, are less to be apprehended ; and often its internal 
and external administration were combined. 

The efficacy of iodine in bronchocele, has received the most am- 
ple confirmation. Cases have been published by Hufeland, Grafe, 
Baup, Helling, Ziegler, Yollmer, Reiss, Paulitsky, Hirscb, Ulrich,. 
Jager, Barchewitz, Meissner, Voo-el, Wutzer, Seiler, Ficinus, Nieu- 
stadt, Hoffmann, De Carro, J. Reid, Manson, Elliotson, Lugol, and 
numerous others. 1 We have administered it in fifteen cases of soft 
goitre, and in every on<^ the disease was removed. In two of the 
cases, it recurred, but the hypertrophy was again dispersed under - 
the use of the remedy. 

It has been recommended by some, that its exhibition should be 
preceded by a bleeding ; and as the abstraction of blood facilitates 
absorption, this may be advisable, especially where but little, if any, 
effect seems to be induced by it, after it has been administered for 
some time. Reid advises, that we should commence with its ex- 
ternal administration ; and, at a later period, conjoin with it the 
internal. 

Although cases have been published, in which iodine has not 
answered the purpose of the prescriber, there can be no ques- 
tion, that it is the most efficacious agent in goitre, that we possess, 
but when the tumour has acquired a cartilaginous hardness, al- 
though it may be diminished under the use of the remedy, it can 
rarely, or never, be wholly removed. Under such circumstances, 
however, every other remedy would be found equally fruitless. 

Glandular affections. — Besides the affections of the thyroid 
gland, there are others of different glandular bodies, in which 
iodine exhibits itself efficacious. Jahn used friction with it 
in induration of the liver, with advantage. Wutzer gave it in 
two cases of induration of the spleen, but no precise deductions 
could be made as to its individual efficacy, owing to its having 
been combined with other remedies. Milligan relates three cases 
of enlargement of the liver or spleen in children in which he gave 
the tincture with success, after mercurials had been used ineffectu- 
ally. M. Eusebe de Salle 2 and Jahn employed it with success in 
enlargement of the testes; Riecke, 3 too, found it of essential service 
in a case of great induration and enlargement of the testicle, which 

' Richtor's Spocielle Therapie. Berlin, 1528, S. 2l4, and Dictionnaire 
de Matiere Medic-ale, &c. par MM. Merat & De Lens, Art. lode. 
2 Journal Complement, xix. 193, and Journal Universel, xi. 346. 
'Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 286. 



244 dunglison's new remedies. 

in the opinion of several physicians would require an operation. 
Jahn found it useful in a case of strumous induration of the sub- 
maxillary gland, and in one of tumefaction of the prostate, the 
consequence of mismanaged gonorrhoea. Krimer employed it 
beneficially in cases of tumefaction and induration of the mesen- 
teric glands ; and Cerchari 1 found an ointment, composed of a 
scruple of iodine and an ounce of unguentum rosatum, very effi- 
cacious in the cure of enlarged tonsils. He applies it to the tonsils 
morning and evening, by means of a small brush ; and he asserts 
that under its use the tonsils will in two months be restored to their 
natural dimensions. Any inflammation must be subdued before 
the ointment is had recourse to. 

Sir B. Brodie 2 has used it sucessfully in similar cases; the en- 
larged tonsils being touched every day with a camel's hair pencil 
dipped in the tincture. 

Of its administration in other glandular affections, mention will 
be made presently. 

Scrofula. — Soon after the introduction of iodine into the materia 
medica, it was used externally in scrofulous affections; and at an 
early period was prescribed by Gordon, Sir A. Halliday, 3 and others, 
in such diseases, especially when combined with mercury. Their 
observations were confirmed by Magendie, Baup, 4 Sablairoles, Ba- 
ron, Brera, Manson, and others. Wutzer used it in many cases of 
scrofula, and found it especially useful in the lymphatic (pastosen) 
form. In irritable cases, he was cautious of employing it as well 
as in hyperaemic conditions; and he found that when aggravation 
of the symptoms occurred, some concealed inflammatory disposition 
was the cause. More recently, Lugol 5 has contributed to the more 
extensive employment of iodine in scrofula, and has especially re- 
commended the watery solution of iodine internally, and baths of 
iodine externally. The fortunate results of his trials, in the Hopi- 
tal St. Louis, were corroborated by a committee appointed for the 
purpose, by the Royal Academy of Sciences. It afforded eminent 
service in the different forms of scrofula; but in scrofulous caries it 
merely induced improvement, never entire cicatrisation. Lugol 
regards iodine as the most efficacious remedy we possess in scrofula. 
Eager, in speaking of Lugol's method of managing scrofula, pro- 
perly lays great stress on the accompanying regimen — nutritious 
diet, cleanliness, bathing and exercise in the open air — which he re- 
gards as indispensable to a fortunate issue. He prefers the watery 
solution of iodine internally to all other remedies. Lugol and 
Eager unite, with the internal use of iodine, the external, in the form 
of ointment or solution; for example in fistulas they employ it as 
an injection. To excite ulcers to cicatrisation, after appropriate 

1 American Journal of Pharm. 2d series ii. S3. Philad. 1837. 

2 Lancet, Mar. 30, 1839, p. 38. 

3 Lond. Med. Repos. Sept. 1821. 

4 Bibliotheque UniverseJle, Dec. 1881. 

6 Essay on the Effects of Iodine, &c. p. 48. 



IODINUM. 245 

pressure and injections have failed, Eager recommends that the 
skin, which has separated, at the margins of the ulcers, from the 
subjacent parts, should be destroyed by caustic or removed by the 
knife, but that this should not be practised until the scrofulous 
tendency has been somewhat got under. As a caustic, Eager re- 
commends, pulv. calcis viv. 3vj ; potass, caustic. 3v, to be made 
into a paste with spirit of wine, and to be applied a few lines thick ; 
the skin will be destroyed in about five minutes. According to the 
same observer, iodine has exhibited its efficacy in various cases of 
periostitis, scrofulous swellings of the joints, and necrosis. In 
scrofulous ophthalmia, it was less beneficial. In scrofulous dis- 
charges from the nose and ear, iodine injections were commonly of 
service. Baudelocque 1 likewise extols the preparations of iodine in 
scrofula; but in scrofulous affections of the bones, and especially 
in caries, as well as in scrofulous diseases of the skin, it appeared 
to him to be inefficacious. Many cases have been related by 
Zinck, Maunoir, Manson, Weihe, Benaben, Bayle, and others, 
in which white swellings of the joints, of a scrofulous character, 
have been removed by its use. Wutzer has likewise offered 
favourable testimony in regard to it in affections of the bones, 
some of which were of a strumous nature. In several cases, so 
much disorganisation had occurred, that the loss of the whole 
limb was to be apprehended, y£t the iodine arrested the destruc- 
tive process, and the limbs were preserved. In various scrofulous 
affections, the tincture of iodine was given by Dr. Kiihne 2 with 
great success, and without any evil consequences. He made it, 
however, of half the usual strength, beginning with three drops, 
and gradually increasing the dose to fifteen. In tumefaction 
of the joints, the iodine, administered externally, has afforded 
essential service. Wutzer was of opinion, that the tincture of 
iodine might frequently be applied externally with greater advan- 
tage than the ointment ; the alcohol readily evaporating and leav- 
ing the iodine on the skin ; for which reason he recommends that 
the tincture should be applied repeatedly by means of a camel's 
hair pencil. 

Tubercles. — The efficacy of iodine in scrofulous affections gave 
rise to the belief that it might be serviceable in tubercles. Brera 
and Calloway administered it frequently in mesenteric tubercles 
with great success, and the observations of Krimer, referred to 
above, correspond with theirs. It has also been given with advan- 
tage in cases of pulmonary tubercles. It was suggested, in such 
affections, by Dr. Baron, and a case is related by Mr. Baden of ap- 
parent tubercles in which it was markedly useful ; 3 similar examples 
are detailed by Jahn, Waldack, and others ; and Berton affirms, that 

1 Etudes surla Maladie Scroplnileuse. Paris, 1834; and London Lancet, 
May, 25, 1839, p. 350; see, also, Cogswell on Iodine, p. 75. 

2 Medicinisclie Zeitung, No. 34. 24 August, 1836. Berlin. 

3 Formulary — the Author's edition, p. 37. Lond. 1824. 



246 dunglison's new remedies. 

he has found inhalations of the vapour of iodine of decided efficacy 
in confirmed phthisis, as well as in certain forms of catarrh. 

It has likewise been advised in the form of vapour by Sir James 
Murray, 1 and by Sir C. Scudamore 2 in phthisical affections. The 
addition of a little tincture of conium was found by the latter gen- 
tleman to be beneficial in subduing the irritating qualities of the 
gas. His formula is the following : iodin. gr. viij, potass, iodid. 
gr. iij, alcohol. §ss, aquae distillat. §vss. M. Of this solution, 
from one dram to six, and from twenty to thirty-five minims of a 
saturated tincture of conium are used in each inhalation, which is 
continued from half an hour to forty minutes. Sir Charles con- 
siders it better to add the conium at the time of employing the in- 
halation. At the temperature of 90°, the volatile properties of 
iodine are given off very sensibly, but the conium requires more 
heat, and that of 120° is not too much for the iodine. A learned 
reviewer in the British and Foreign Medical Review, 3 affirms, that 
his own experience leaves him no doubt as to the great value of 
the practice as a palliative in phthisis, and as an important remedy 
in bronchitis. It is true, however, he adds, that the relief has 
often been as great from the simple aqueous as from the medicated 
inhalation. Our own experience has not been favourable to it, 
and Mr. Pereira 4 says he has repeatedly tried it in phthisis as well 
as in other chronic pulmonary complaints, but never with the least 
benefit. The inhalation may be practised in the method recom- 
mended under the head of Chlorine, (page 107.) 

The inhalation of iodine has been dreaded, because, in some in- 
stances, troublesome irritation of the larynx has followed its use; 
but Dr. Corrigan 5 considers, that this injurious effect has resulted 
from the defective means of inhalation hitherto employed. Used 
in the manner he has recommended, and which we have described — 
under the article referred to above — gradual in its evaporation, and 
ultimately combined with a large portion of aqueous vapour, its use, 
he says, is positively free from any injurious irritative effects. The 
vapour he found to diminish most remarkably the profuse and wast- 
ing purulent expectoration of phthisis. The effects of iodine, thus 
used, on the digestive function were also very gratifying. In all the 
cases in which Dr. Corrigan employed it, the appetite and state of the 
intestinal canal were improved. It acted as a most useful tonic to the 
digestive organs, without any of the irritation, which its internal 
use, in the ordinary form, at times produces. It likewise greatly 

1 On Temperature, Aliment, &c. 1829. 

2 Cases illustrative of the efficacy of various medicines administered by- 
inhalation in pulmonary consumption, 2d edit. Lond.; and Lond. Med. Ga- 
zette, Feb. 17, 1838, p. 804. 

3 April, 1838, p. 606. 

4 Elements of the Materia Medica, Pt. i. p. 120. Lond. 1839. 

5 Dublin Journal of Medical Science, for March, 1839, p. 103; and Lond. 
Med. Gaz. for Apl. 6, 1839, p. 50. 



TODINUM. 247 

alleviated the cough, so that the patient was enabled to obtain 
hours of sound and refreshing- sleep ; and he consequently con- 
siders, that even should its use be of little avail against the destruc- 
tive scrofulous ulceration, which constitutes phthisis, the palliative 
good, which is derived from it, renders it a valuable addition to our 
list of remedies. Dr. Corrigan has had his apparatus at work from 
eight to twelve hours in the twenty-four ; and his mode of managing 
it is as follows: — at night, when the patient is settling to sleep, 
the apparatus is suspended from the roof of the bed ; and, when 
once arranged, it continues its work quietly and silently for four or 
five hours, while the patient, asleep, is all this time inhaling the 
medicated air. In the morning, for three or four hours before the 
patient rises, it is again at work ; and, if necessary, in the midday, 
while the patient reclines on the bed, with the curtains drawn 
round three of the sides. The rate of evaporation, which generally 
gives a sufficiently strong impregnation to the air, is when the 
tincture of iodine drops from the cotton wick at the rate of from 
six to eight drops per minute. At this rate, about six drams of the 
tincture will be evaporated in an hour, and as every particle of the 
iodine is diffused in watery vapour through the air, there are thus 
diffused in the minutest state of division through the air, in every 
hour, about thirty grains of iodine. " If we suppose the patient to 
inhale only one twentieth of the iodine evaporated he will inhale 
in each hour, and apply to the diseased surfaces, one grain and a 
half of iodine in a state of the most minute division or solution." 
"This quantity we know" — adds Dr. Corrigan — "is quite suffi- 
cient to exert a decided action upon scrofulous ulceration ; for we 
find on reference to Lugol's valuable work on the employment of 
iodine in scrofula, that in external scrofulous ulceration, the prepa- 
ration of iodine which is found beneficial, is a solution which con- 
tains only about three grains of iodine in each pint of fluid. The 
duration of the inhalation can, of course, be extended at pleasure." 
Fontana affirms, that he has observed decided benefit from iodine 
in a case of phthisis mucosa; when given in the form of the sy- 
rupus iodalus, and combined with the external application of the 
ointment of tartarised antimony. Duverney has communicated 
some cases, which appeared favourable to the prophylactic agency 
of iodine in incipient or threatened phthisis, but he himself con- 
siders, that his observations have not been sufficiently numerous to 
effect the demonstration. We have frequently administered iodine, 
in various forms, in pulmonary tubercles, but it must be confessed, 
not with that decided advantage, which the well known sorbefacient 
virtues of the remedy, and the recorded observations of others, 
might seem to promise. We have never witnessed, on the other 
band, the evil, which Riecke 1 mentions, that it may under particu- 
lar circumstances, occasion the speedy development of phthisis, 

1 Dip neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 289; see, also, Gunther, in Har- 
less's Neue Jahrb. B. xii. St. 3. S. 161. 



248 dunglison's new remedies. 

where tubercles exist in the lungs. He refers to a case by Haser, as 
corroborative of his opinion. A woman, fifty years old, was affected 
with anchylosis spuria, for which an ointment of iodine was recom- 
mended ; but it had not been employed more than three weeks, and 
not more than a dram of the hydriodate of potassa had been rubbed 
in, when symptoms of phthisis tuberculosa rapidly supervened, 
which, in half a year, terminated in death. There does not appear, 
however, in this case, to have been any thing more than a coinci- 
dence. 

In tubercles of the liver iodine has been regarded worthy of 
special consideration. 1 

Dropsy. — Many trials have been made with iodine in cases of 
dropsy, owing to its powerful sorbefacient agency. 2 Bradfield and 
Bardsley exhibited it frequently with success in hydrothorax and 
ascites ; and Kissam, in a case of dropsy, dependent probably upon 
induration of the liver. Dr. Coster 3 says he has removed many 
dropsies by giving internally from six to fifteen drops for a dose of 
a mixture composed of iodin. gr. hi., potass, hydriod. gr. vi., aquae, 
sj. Aided by an ointment composed of fifteen grains of iodine, 
with double the quantity of hydriodate of potassa, to an ounce of 
lard. This to be placed inside the thighs after removing the 
cuticle by a blister. The armpits and soles of the feet were also 
rubbed with the ointment. 

The same plan is recommended by Dr. Osborne. 4 Jahn regards 
iodine as one of the most important agents of modern discovery, 
and as an extremely valuable antihydropic. 5 He first used it in a 
case of hydrocele, in which it was doubtful whether degeneration 
of the testicle had not been a precursor. The effect of the ointment 
of hydriodate of potassa left nothing to be desired; and, accordingly, 
he afterwards employed it in all cases of hydrocele of the tunica 
vaginalis, which he met with, even in the new born, united with 
mercury or extract of cicnta, and in every case, which was not of too 
chronic a character, it exhibited its sanative powers. The only 
unfavourable effects induced by it were a temporary disappearance 
of the testicle; in some cases; and a humid cutaneous eruption of the 
scrotum. He also found the iodine extremely useful in hydrotho- 
rax and ascites ; especially in those cases of dropsy which succeed 
to exanthematous diseases, and that it acted more speedily and 
powerfully when combined with some diuretic. 

He found, farther, that the iodine was followed by the most 
beneficial results in the hydrocephalus of children — as well chronic 
as acute — especially when the latter form had attained its full 

1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 290. 

2 Dr. Wra. Stokes, in Amer. Journal of the Med. Science?, May, 1834, p. 
543, from London Med. and Surg. Journal. 

3 Journal de Phannacie, 1834. 

4 On the Nature and Treatment of Dropsical Diseases, 2d edit. p. 48. 
Loud. 1S37; and Amer. Med. Library edit. Philad. 1S3S. 

* Elliotson, in Lancet, 1830—31. 



IODINUM. 249 

development, that is, when the inflammatory stage was over, and 
the accumulation of fluid was the prominent condition. In these 
cases, he commonly used the iodine in the form of the hydriodate 
of potassa, made into an ointment, and rubbed on the head. Fre- 
quently, however, he gave the iodine also internally, in combina- 
tion with calomel and digitalis ; but it may be objected to this 
combination, that iodine with calomel forms corrosive sublimate 
and the proto and deuto-iodurets of mercury, so that, in very small 
doses, it might affect the stomach too violently. 1 M. Ricord 2 em- 
ployed the tincture of iodine with success in iive cases of hydro- 
cele ; — the tincture being diluted with distilled water, and applied 
by means of compresses wetted with it, and in which the scrotum 
was enveloped. He uses it of four different strengths — 3J,'5ij, 3iij, 
and 3vj of the tincture, to §iij of water. 

In hygroma, or dropsy of the bursa? mucosa? of the joints, an 
ointment of the iodide of potassium (.gij ad axung. §j) has been 
most successfully used by M. Reynaud. 3 The limb is kept at rest, 
and morning and evening, or three times a day, friction is made 
with this quantity of ointment ; after which the knee — the joint 
commonly affected — is covered with a large flaxseed poultice. 
From some trials made with the iodide of lead, there was reason to 
believe it more efficacious than the iodide of potassium. The treat- 
ment was generally successful in about a fortnight. 

As to its efficacy in nervous diseases, the testimony is somewhat 
discordant. Manson 4 and Elliotson 5 found it useful in paralysis, 
but Dr. Bardsley failed with it. Chorea was removed by Gibney 6 
and Bardsley; and Franklin, 7 by very large doses, relieved a case 
of epilepsy. 

The intimate affinity between iodine and the urinary organs, has 
given occasion to its employment in 

Incontinence of Urine. — Corter cured two cases by the tincture 
of iodine. 

Cutaneous Diseases. — Cases of dry, scaly tetter were treated, 
commonly, by Tiinnermann, with an ointment made of the iodide 
of potassium, applied to the affected parts three or four times a 
day. For the most part, an increase of the evil was at first a pretty 
sure harbinger of a radical cure; when this attained a certain de- 
gree, a change in the organic actions of the skin succeeded ; the 
remedy was then pretermitted, and the parts were washed a few 
times with soap, when the eruption faded away, and disappeared. 

In moist tetter, Tunnermann applies only a very weak salve, 
with which the parts are touched daily two or three times: in the 

1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 291. 

•Journal des Connoissances Med.-Chirurg. Janvier, 1833. 

3 Cabissol, in Bulletin General de Therapeutique, Fev. 1838. 

* Op. cit. 

6 Lancet, 1830-31. 

6 Ibid. 1827-8, p. 54. 

7 Lancet, 1830, and Cogswell, Op. cit. p. 24. 



250 dtjnglison's new remedies. 

intervals, he envelopes them in dry linen rag. The pain, which is 
always induced by the application, soon passes away. Magendie, 
Gimelle, and Jeffray 1 have likewise applied it successfully in 
tetter. In chronic cutaneous diseases, in general, the various pre- 
parations of iodine are valuable remedies. They enter, as we have 
seen, the mass of blood, modify the condition of that fluid, and, in 
this manner, exert a new impression upon the capillaries of the 
diseased portions of the dermoid system. We have often employed 
them in these cases with success, and similar testimony has been 
afforded by MM. Biett, Gimelle, Kolley, Locher-Balber, and others. 
Brehme succeeded in removing, rapidly and completely, a case of 
inveterate porrigo favosa, and ophthalmia thereon dependent, by 
an ointment of iodine. 

Amenorrhea. — According to Coindet, iodine is a powerful em- 
menagogue, and the possession of this property has likewise been 
ascribed to it by Brera, 2 who frequently administered it successfully 
in amenorrhoea ; and Formey and Nieustadt confirm his observa- 
tions. Sablairoles cured three cases by frictions with iodine oint- 
ment on the breast, conjoined with the internal use of iodine. It 
was necessary, however, to give it in large doses, and for a long 
time. Locher-Balber 3 found the iodine, at times, of use in those 
troublesome cases, which occasionally precede the establishment of 
menstruation ; as well as Golis, who was, however, often deterred 
from its use, in such cases, by the evil consequences it produced on 
the respiratory organs, — such as dry cough, or cough accompanied 
by bloody sputa. 

Degeneration of the Ovaries. — Rochling observed a marked 
effect from the use of iodine in induration of the ovary. Jahn 
cured, by an ointment of iodine and mercury, an enormous dege- 
neration of the ovaries, which gave rise to two tumours, each of the 
size of the head ; and Messrs. Thetfotd, 4 Klaproth, 5 Jewel, 6 and 
Ashwell 7 were equally successful. Baron employed the iodine 
beneficially in a case of dropsy of the ovarium. 

Of hypertrophy of the mammce, Delfiz 8 details a case which 
resulted favourably; and in hypertrophy of the thymus gland — 
the asthma thymicum of Kopp — iodine baths have recently been 
advised by Dr. Fingerhuth. In hypertrophy of the ventricles of 
the heart, Magendie long ago recommended it. 

In scirrhus of the uterus, mammce, &c, it has been advised 
by Heun, Klaproth, Hennemann, Von dem Busch, 9 Ullmann, 

1 Cogswell, Op. cit. p. 80. 

2 Saggio Clinico sull' Iodic 

3 Hecker's Litter. Annal. i. 275; and Cogswell on Iodine, p. 77. 

4 Transactions of the Dublin College of Physicians, v. 510. Dublin, 
1828. 

5 Revue Medicale, Mars, 1824. 

6 Op. cit. 

7 Guy's Hospital Reports, vol. i. 

8 Froreip's Notizen, B. xiii. No. 5, S. 73. 

9 Hufeland's Journal, B. lx. St. 2, S. 81. 



ioDijsruM. 251 

Hill, Benaben, Magendie, Bermont, Hammer, Elwert ; and, from 
the recorded observations, it would seem that great efficacy 
ought to be ascribed to it, both when internally and externally 
administered, Jahn extols it much in incipient scirrhus of the 
stomach, when combined with the application of leeches, and 
Riecke 1 asserts, that his father found an ointment of iodine ex- 
traordinarily useful in a case of induration of the pancreas; and, 
also, in a case of scirrhus of the pylorus. In induration of the 
female mammas, not of a malignant nature, he likewise found it 
frequently of essential assistance. Magendie extols it in cancer of 
the tongue ; and Benaben and Triistedt employed it successfully in 
stricture of the urethra, supervening on badly managed gonor- 
rhoea. 

In several cases of chronic disease of the liver, attended with 
jaundice, Dr. Abercrombie 2 found an ointment composed of 3ss of 
iodine, and an ounce of lard, of great benefit; and Dr. Milligan 
prescribed it, in the form of tincture, with good effect in three cases 
of hypertrophy of the spleen. 3 

Leucorrhcea. — A Parisian physician made the observation, that 
during the employment of iodine in goitre, obstinate and protracted 
leucorrhcea disappeared ; this induced him to try the remedy in 
the latter disease, and he found it very efficacious. Goeden and 
Broglio, likewise, observed it useful in malignant fluor albus; and 
Benaben, Richond, 4 De Salle, Caswall, 5 and Broglio, in gonorrhoea. 
The last two individuals gave it especially in those cases, in which, 
without any marked inflammation, a deeply rooted gonorrhoea ex- 
isted, with ulcers in the urethra and prepuce, not apparently of a 
syphilitic character. In chronic fluor albus, it was used by Muller 6 
with marked success. A young female had long suffered under 
this affection, which had reduced her strength, and did not yield to 
any of the means that had been employed, when the ointment of 
hydriodate of potassa was rubbed — morning and evening — on the 
inner surface of the thighs. After this plan had been continued 
for four weeks, the disease entirely ceased. MM. Gimelle and 
Jewell are also advocates for it. 

In discharges from the nose, iodine, in the form of hydriodate 
of potassa, has been used with advantage by Dr. EUiotson 8 and 
by Mr. George Fayrer 9 — given internally, as well as employed in 
the form of injection, Oj ad aquas §iv.) 

1 Op. cit. S. 292. 

2 On the Stomach, Edinb. 1828; and Amer. edit. Philada. 

3 Cogswell, Op. cit. p. 83. 

* Archives Generates de Medecine, vol. iv. 
6 Lund. Med. Gazette for 1834. 

6 Wochenscrift fur die gesammte Hoilkunde, No. 40, S. 633. Oct. 1836. 

7 Revue Medicate, vii. 249; and Practical Observations on Leucorrhcea, 
&c. by Geo. Jewell, p. 80. Lond. 1830. 

8 Lancet, Feb. JO, 1838, p. 725. 

9 Ibid. Feb. 24, p. 786. 



252 dunglison's new remedies. 

In secondary syphilis, iodine has been recommended by Tyrrel, 
Saville, De Salle, Schlesier, 1 and numerous others; — especially 
when the disease is complicated with scrofula, and the effects 
of mercurials. Wallace 2 has likewise communicated some for- 
tunate results from the administration of the hydriodate of po- 
tassa in secondary syphilis, and Ebers 3 has confirmed his obser- 
vations. More recently, Mr. Bullock 4 has reported the particu- 
lars of eleven cases of secondary syphilitic diseases, of a formi- 
dable character, relieved by the hydriodate of potassa, given 
internally, in doses of eight grains three times a day, in camphor 
mixture. The symptoms were : — destruction of the uvula and soft 
palate, or nodes, with nocturnal pains in the tibia, ulna, frontal 
and malar bones, and affection of the bones of the nose, or rupia 
and other tubercular eruptions. The period of cure was from one 
to two months. Mr. Mayo 5 has described it as efficacious in cer- 
tain disorders, which are the consequence of syphilis, as emacia- 
tion, with ulcers of the skin; ulcerated throat, affections of the 
bones, &c, occurring in those to whom mercury had been given. 

An iodine suppository appeared to Mr. Keate 6 to be beneficial in 
enlarged prostate. 

In different forms of rheumatism, iodine has been given with 
success by Dr. Clendenning, 7 in the Mary-le-bone Hospital, and a 
series of cases in which it was employed has been published by 
him. Sir B. Brodie 8 twice relieved rheumatism by the tincture, 
although, in one of the cases, only temporarily. Cases of acute 
rheumatism, treated successfully by the iodide of potassium, used 
internally and externally, have been published by Dr. Mackay 9 and 
Mr. Wardleworth. 10 

In gout, too, it has been prescribed. Jahn found it extremely 
effective in dispersing gouty tophi. Valentin found, that when 
iodine was given in a case of goitre, complicated with gout, the 
tumefaction of the joints and the depositions gradually disappeared. 
Adopting the hint, he gave it in several cases of gout, with the 
effect of always mitigating the disease, and, at times, of completely 
curing it. Gendrin used the iodine not only in chronic gouty 
swellings with success, but also in acute cases. Ebers likewise 
confirms the efficacy of iodine in gout. 

In co.valgia, Buchanan recommends the tincture of iodine to be 
applied by means of a small brush, as well as in a case of false 

1 Casper's Wochenschrift. Feb. 4, 1837, S. 78. 

2 Treatise on the Venereal Disease. Lond. 1833. 

3 Medicinische Zeitung, Oct. 5, 1S36, S. 201 and 207. 

4 Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journal, Jan. 2, 1837. See, also, Cogswell on 
Iodine, p. 80 ; and Laycock, Lond. Med. Gazette, Mar. 2, 1S39, p. S21. 

5 Lond. Med. Gaz. xi. 249. 

6 Lancet, for 1832-3, p. 672. 

7 Lond. Med. Gazette, May, 1835. 

8 Lancet, for 1832-3. 

9 Ibid. Mar. 2, 1839, p. 830. 
10 Ibid. Mar. 30, 1839. 



IODINUM. 253 

joint, of which he has detailed a successful instance. A similar case 
has also been given by Treusen. 

In adiposis, Von Grafe 1 prescribed it, and not without advan- 
tage. The case was accompanied by great voracity and sense of 
suffocation. Bleeding and cathartics were premised. 

In stomacace, or a scorbutic state of the gums, the use of iodine 
has been recommended by Friedrich ; as well as in mercurial sali- 
vation, by Kluge, Knod, 2 Klose, 3 Graves, 4 and others ; yet its 
efficacy appears to be somewhat doubtful in the last affection. 
Heyfelder found it of no value in three cases. 

In cases of hydrocele, Velpeau 5 prefers a solution of iodine to 
wine as an injection. He employs the tincture in the proportion 
of from one to two drams to an ounce of water. He treated suc- 
cessfully twenty cases by this method. Mr. J. R. Martin, 6 of India, 
appears, however, to have anticipated him in this application of the 
remedy. Up to the time of the presentation of his paper to the 
Medical and Physical Society of Calcutta, (January, 1835,) he had 
used it successfully in upwards of ninety cases. More recently, 
he has communicated to the Medical and Physical Society of Cal- 
cutta the results of his subsequent experience. The number treated 
since March, 1832, at the Native Hospital, was seven hundred and 
seventy-seven : of these, seven hundred and sixty-six had a solu- 
tion of tincture of iodine injected. 

In order to ascertain whether it was by mere stimulation that 
the cure by the tincture of iodine was obtained, Mr. Martin treated 
ten cases with a common urethra syringeful of undiluted Port 
wine, and one with diluted tinctura lyttae, in the same proportion 
as that of iodine, 3ij to water §vj. Of this, two drams were inject- 
ed and retained ; the pain during twenty-four hours was excessive, 
and the inflammation, although not proportionate to the pain, was 
much longer in subsiding than when the tincture of iodine solution 
was used : this was also remarkably apparent in the cases treated 
with the undiluted Port wine. 

Of the seven hundred and sixty-six cases treated, it does not 
appear that more than four failed. 7 

For hydroceles containing from six to thirty ounces of fluid, two 
drams of the solution of tincture of iodine are sufficient; for those 



1 Walther und Grafe's Journal fur Chirurgie. B. ix. St. 3. S. 367. 

1 Gazette des H6pitaux, July 18, 1837. 

8 Medicinische Zeituog, No. 34, 1836. See, also, Amer. Journal Med. 
Sciences, Feb. 1834, p. 533. 

4 Dublin Journal Med. Science, Jan. 1834. 

1 Archives Generales de Medecine, Jan. 1837; La presse Medicale, Mai, 
1837. See, also, Amer. Med. Intelligencer, July 15, 1837, p. 138; and Oct. 
16, p. 263. 

8 Amer. Journal of the Medical Sciences, Nov. 1837, p. 238. 

T Quarterly Journal of the Calcutta Med. and Physical Society, for Jan. 
1837; cited in Amer. Journal of the Med. Sciences, for Feb. 1839, p. 485. 



254 dunglison's new remedies. 

containing from thirty to sixty ounces, three drams ; and for those 
of a larger size, four to five drams. When the hydrocele contains 
less than three ounces, 3j of the injection is sufficient. 1 

The cure is effected much sooner by the iodine ; and if any in- 
filtration takes place, it is readily absorbed. 

Highly favourable results have also been obtained by MM. 
Oppenheim 2 and Fricke, 3 and the method has been largely em- 
ployed in this country, and with equal advantage. Two successful 
cases are likewise reported by Dr. Stewart. 4 

It is said by Coindet and Formey to have been efficacious in 
cases of impotence ; and, lastly, Mr. Key 5 regards it as one of the 
most efficacious remedies we possess in checking or controlling the 
ulcerative process — the most active phagedenic ulcers often yield- 
ing in a surprising manner to its influence, and assuming a healthy, 
granulating appearance. 

With regard to the relative value of the preparations of iodine, 
Dr. A. Buchanan 6 is inclined to place them in the following order : — 
Iodide of starch, hydriodic acid, (iodine,) and iodide of potassium; 
although he admits, that the superiority he ascribes to the first is, 
perhaps, owing to his having prescribed it most frequently. The 
action of all of these is, however, similar. The only mode, he 
thinks, of explaining the similarity of action on the body of sub- 
stances so dissimilar in nature, is by considering the hydriodic acid 
as the active principle; free iodine being immediately converted 
in the stomach into hydriodic acid. 

In the Glasgow Infirmary, they are in the habit of preparing a 
liquid hydriodic acid ; by dissolving three hundred and thirty 
grains of the iodide of potassium in giss of distilled water; and 
two hundred and sixty-four grains of tartaric acid in a like quan- 
tity: the solutions are then mixed, and when the bitartrate of po- 
tassa has subsided, the fluid is filtered. Water enough is then 
added to make §yj and 3ij. Each dram of this liquid acid contains 
five grains of iodine. The acid, thus prepared, is, however, very 
liable to change, and necessarily variable in its effects. 7 

Lastly; from his researches on the effects of the various prepa- 
rations of iodine, Dr. Cogswell 8 infers, 1. That iodine and hydrio- 
date of potassa act very much in the same way, but that there is 
still a difference, not merely in point of power, but of specific pro- 
perties. 2. That, whatever be the proper action of the iodide of 
sulphur, its facility of decomposition gives it a resemblance to 

1 Dujat, in Gazette Medicale de Paris, Sept. 1838. 

2 Zeitschrift fur die gesammte Medicin. August, 1838, S. 389. 

3 Ibid. S. 405. 

* India Journal of Medicine, May, 1836. 
6 Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, xix. 
« Med. Gazette, July 2, 1836. 

* Guibourt, in Revue Medicale, Aout, 1837 ; and Bulletin General de 
Therapcutique, Sept. 1837. 

8 Essay on Iodine, p. 167. Edinb. 1837. 



IODINIJM. 255 

iodine. 3. That the iodides of carbon, so far as examined, have 
an action peculiar to themselves : and, 4. That, in those metallic 
iodides which were submitted to examination, the preponderance of 
power is on the side of the bases. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

The iodine is not easily given internally in substance — in the 
form of pill or powder ; neither are these forms to be recommended, 
Coindet preferred it in the form of tincture; and this is one of the 
most common modes in which it is administered. When, however, 
the tincture is taken with water, a great part of the iodine is thrown 
down, and, it has been conceived, may thus exert a noxious influ- 
ence on the stomach ; but in the small doses in which it is taken, 
such an effect can scarcely be anticipated. It would seem, how- 
ever, that, in the generality of cases, when iodine has disagreed, it 
has been in the form of tincture. For this reason, of late years, 
iodine has been given more in watery solution ; and, to promote the 
solution, the iodide of potassium, (q. v.) is added ; or a little salt, 
according to Lugol's prescription. An ethereal solution is also pre- 
scribed. Externally, it is applied in the form of tincture, ointment, 
or watery solution, or in baths, or fumigations. Frictions with 
iodine readily occasion a considerable irritation of the skin, which 
commonly soon passes away, when the friction is suspended for a 
time. After bathing a part, painful rubefaction of the skin often 
ensues, which is usually followed by perspiration and sleep. The 
iodine is given internally, in the dose of one-eighth of a grain to a 
grain, twice or thrice a day. 

The following are some of the forms in which the pure iodine is 
administered internally and externally. 

Tinctura Iodini. 
Tincture of Iodine. 
(Synonyme. — Tinctura seu Alcohol Iodii.) 
5<. Iodini, gr. xlviij. 
Solve in alcohol 35° (s. g. .842) sj. 

To be given in some mucilaginous or saccharine fluid, or in 
wine and water. Coindet and Magendie. 

Mr. Durand, an able pharmacies of Philadelphia, finds, that forty 
grains of the iodine and 3x of rectified spirit form a saturated solu- 
tion. Based on this fact, the following formula has been given, 
which does not seem, however, to possess any advantages over the 
simple tincture. 

g<. Iodin. optim. »}ij. 
Spirit, vini rect. ^j. 
Spirit, lavand. comp. gij. 

Dose. — Ten to twenty drops twice a day, gradually increasing 
it to forty. 1 

1 Ellis's Medical Formulary, 5th edit. p. 91. Philad. 1838. 



DUNGLISON S NEW REMEDIES, 

Tinctura ^Etherea Iodini. 

Ethereal Tincture of Iodine. 

Synonymes. — Tinctura Iodii iEtherea. {French. — Ether iodure.) 

5<. JEther. sulphuric, ^i. 
Iodini, gr. vj. M. 

Dose. — Eight or ten drops, two or three times a day. 

Magendie. 

Decoctum Cinchonce cum Tinctura Iodini. 

Decoction of Cinchona with Tincture of Iodine. 

r<. Decoct, cinchon. %x. 
Tine, iodin. gtt. xc. M. 

Dose. — Two spoonfuls, three times a day. In scrofulous ulcers. 

Rey. 

Mistura Iodini. 
Mixture of Iodine. 



Solve et adde 



&. Iodin. gr. v. 
Alcohol. £ij. 



Aq. cinnam. giiss. 
Syrup, simpl. ^iss. M. 



To be taken in the twenty-four hours, in dram doses. 

Syrupus Iodini. 

Syrup of Iodine. 

£. Tinctur. iodin. gr. vj. 
Syrup, simpl. ^ij. M. 

Henry. 

Solutio Iodini. (Lugol's.) (French. — Boisson iodee.) 

Solution of Iodine. 

(1. For internal use.) 

A. B. C. 

*. Iodin. gr. $. gr. f. gr. j. 

Sodae muriat. gr. xij. gr. xij. gr. xij. 
Aquae distill. ffij. B5j. ftj. 

Solve. 

(2. For external use.) 

A. B. C. 

$<. Iodin. gr. ij. gr. iij. gr. iv. 

Aq. distill. ftj. Kj. ftj. 

Solve. 

Lugol gives formulae for the solution of the three different 
strengths above. 



IODINUM. 257 

Unguentum Iodini. 

Unguentum Iodatum, Ointment of Iodine. French.— Pornmade 
d'lode. German. — Iodsalbe. 

$t. Iodin. gr. iij. 
Adipis, gij. M. 

Linimentum Iodini. 

Liniment of Iodine. 

9<. Linim. sapon. comp. §j. 
Tinct. iodin. &. M. 

Manson. 

Cataplasma Iodini. 

Cataplasm of Iodine. 

3<. Tinct. iodin. ^ss. 
Pulv. sem. lin. gj. 
Farin. avenae, §iij. 
Aquae destillat. q. s. ut fiat cataplasma. 

Used as a cataplasm in scrofulous tumours and goitre. 

The Iodide of Starch, Iodidum seu Ioduretum Amyli, 
Amylum Iodatum ; French, Iodine d'Amidon ; German, Iod- 
starkmehl, Iodstarke, Starkmehl- oder Satzmehliodiire, has been ex- 
tolled by Dr. Andrew Buchanan, 1 of Glasgow. It is prepared of 
iodine gr. xxiv. ; starch, in fine powder, §j. The iodine is first 
triturated with a little water, and the starch is gradually added, 
the trituration being continued till the compound assumes a uni- 
form blue colour. The iodide is then dried with a heat so gentle 
as not to drive off the iodine, and it must be afterwards kept in a 
well stopped bottle. 

Iodine, in the usual forms of exhibition, cannot in general be 
safely given in larger doses than four or six grains doily, whilst, in 
the above formula, Dr. Buchanan has given as much as seventy- 
two grains daily. 

Professor Forget, of Strasbourg, has published the case of a youth 
seventeen years of age, who took in 48 days, 139 ounces, or nearly 
nine pounds, of this iodide, containing 3336 grains, or nearly six 
ounces, of iodine, — being nearly sixteen grains a day. 2 

An Iodide or Ioduret of Quinine, Iodidum Quinince, is 
formed by precipitating sulphate of quinine by means of hydriodate 
of potassa. It is a yellow precipitate, soluble in alcohol, and crys- 

1 Lond. Med. Gazette, July 2, 1836; see, also, Soubeiran, in Revue Medi- 
cale, Aout, 1837. 

2 Gazette des H6pitaux, Fev. 19, 1S39, and Lond. Med. Gaz. April 20, 
1839, p. 127. 

JO— d dungl 17 



25S dunglison's new remedies. 

tallises from this solution in quadrangular prisms. It has been 
employed for the cure of scrofulous tumours, in cases where iodine 
and tonics are indicated. 1 

The Iodide on Ioduret of Sulphur, Iodidum seu Ioduretum 
Snlphuris — prepared by mixing 125 parts of iodine with 16 of sul- 
phur, and then gently heating the mixture over a slow fire or 
spirit lamp, until they fuse into one mass — has been strongly re- 
commended in tinea capitis; in the proportion of ten grains of the 
iodide to an ounce of lard. A writer, in an English periodical 2 
affirms, that he was induced to make trial of it in some obstinate 
cases, and was much astonished at the remarkable power it pos- 
sessed over the disease. He rubbed it on the head night and morn- 
ing - , and increased the strength of the ointment according as the 
affected part was able to bear the stimulus, until the iodide bore the 
proportion of half a dram to the ounce of lard or spermaceti cerate. 

Fumigations of iodine and sulphur have been used advan- 
tageously in certain atonic ulcers, and chronic cutaneous diseases. 5 
With this view, the sulphur and the iodine may be combined extem- 
poraneously — say half a dram of the iodine to an ounce of sulphur. 

The other preparations of iodine are contained in different parts 
of this volume. 



LACTUCARIUM. 

Synonymes. Lettuce Opium, Thridace. 
German. Lattich-Opiura. 

The ancient Greek and Roman physicians were well aware of 
the hypnotic property of the common garden lettuce {lactuca 
sativa), the milky juice of which contains the lactucarivm. It 
would appear, however, that Dr. J. R. Coxe, of Philadelphia, was 
the first to propose the use of the inspissated juice in medicine. 4 
Dr. Duncan, Senr., of Edinburgh, subsequently paid particular 
attention to the subject, and recommended it as a remedy in 
phthisis, in place of opium. 5 The properties of the juice have also 
been investigated by M. Frangois, 6 a French physician. 

1 Journal de Chimie Medicale, Mars, 1836. 

2 Lond. Med. Gazette, for Sept. 9, 1837, p. 879. 

3 London Lancet, vol. i. 1838; and Encvclographie des Sciences Medi- 
cales, Aout, 1838. 

4 Wood and Bache's Dispensatory. 

6 Observations on Consumption, 2d edit. Edinb. 1816. 
6 Archiv. General, de Medecine, 1825. Journal Univer. xl. 254, and 
xli. 147. 



LACTUCARIUM. 259 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

There are three kinds of lactucarium. The first and best, but 
the most costly, is obtained from incisions made into the stalks, 
whence the juice exudes, which is subsequently dried in the air. 
This preparation has a bitter taste, soon becomes of a brown colour 
and solid, has a gummy fracture, but absorbs moisture from the air, 
becoming soft and clammy. 

The second variety is obtained by expression of the selected 
stalks, and subsequent desiccation of the obtained fluid, either in 
the air or by artificial warmth. This is said to be the variety 
most commonly met with in commerce ; J and the third variety is 
prepared in the same manner as any common extract, from all 
parts of the plant. This is the Thridace of some. 

The first is the strongest and most uniform, and therefore to be 
preferred. 

Chemical examination shows that the lactucarium contains 
neither morphine nor narcotine, as had been supposed. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

To investigate these, Rothamel 2 instituted experiments with the 
Paris lactucarium. Half a grain to a grain produced no effect. 
From three to five grains occasioned a peculiar indescribable 
feeling of lightness over the whole body, without any narcotic 
symptoms or modification in the pulse : from six to eight grains 
increased this sensation, and caused dilatation of the pupils. The 
same doses, repeated at intervals of three or four hpurs, through 
the day, diminished the number of pulsations of the heart, and the 
sleep was disturbed. From ten to fifteen grains caused more in- 
disposition, nausea, oppression in the epigastrium, cold sweats, 
anxious respiration, cold sensation in the chest, great dulness, 
vertigo, considerable dilatation of the pupils, yawning and stretch- 
ing, slow pulse, disturbed sleep, general prostration ; the tongue 
to be coated with mucus ; disagreeable taste ; loss of appetite ; pains 
in the shoulders and bones, and uncertain gait; all which symptoms 
were speedily removed by a few drops of acetic ether or a glass of 
Rhenish wine. Coffee was much less efficacious. 

The lactucarium has been extolled by numerous physicians as 
equally effective with opium, whilst it is not — they assert — followed 
by the signs of narcosis and other inconveniences, so often induced 
by the latter. Accordingly it is frequently given where a pure 
sedative is needed — to allay cough, and where much nervous 
excitement is present. 9 

1 Riecke, Die neuren Arzneimittel, S. 313. See also Meraf & De Lens, 
Diet, de Mat. Med. art. Lactuca Sativa. 

4 Ferussac's Bulletin des Sciences MeJicales, xxii. 101. Paris, 1830. 



260 dunglison's new remedies. 

mode of administering. 

The lactucarium is given internally, either in the solution or 
pill, in the .dose of from one third of a grain to three grains. Ex- 
ternally, it has been applied in the form of plaster or of ointment. 

Mistura Lactucarii. 
Mixture of Lactucarium. 

5<. Lactucar. 9j. 

Mucilag. gum. aca^. q. s. ad subactionem. 
Perfecte unitis adfunde 

Aq. fontan. §vj. 

Syrup, rub. idaei, 3ss. M. 

Dose. — Two spoonfuls every two hours, in spasmodic cough, 
sleeplessness and hysteria. 



HlLDENBRAND. 



Solve 



Acid, boracic. ^ij. 
Lactucarii, 9j. 



Aq. destillat. fvj. 
Syrup, papav. ss. M. 

Dose. — A small spoonful — in cases of "spastic haemoptysis." 

ROTHAMEL. 



MAGNES. 

Synonvmes.— Magnet. 

French,— Aimant, Pierre d'Aimant. 

The natural magnet was employed of ol 1 both externally and 
internally, and in the most diversified forms and affections. 1 The 
artificial magnet has been used within the last century only, and 
always with a view to its magnetic action. 

It is generally on the diseased part, or around it, that the magnet 
is applied, and the application is made for a longer or shorter time 
according to circumstances — being at times drawn along the nerves 
of the affected part, at others applied in a more prolonged manner. 

It is on the nervous system — and chiefly through the influence 
of the imagination —that the magnet exerts its efficacy. Accor- 
dingly, the class of diseases in which it ha# been found most bene- 
ficial are those termed "nervous and spasmodic." 2 This is 

1 Art. Aimant, in Diet. Univers. de Matiere Medicale par Merat & De 
Lens. 

2 See the Author's General Therapeutics, p. 58. Philad. 1836. 



MAGNES. 261 

strikingly shown by the published observations of MM. Andry and 
Thouret, 1 Commissioners of the Societe Royale de Medecine, ap- 
pointed to examine into this matter. In cases of spasms, palpitations, 
convulsions, epilepsy, tremors, cramps, neuralgia, rheumatism, 
&c. the only agent employed was the magnet, and it was wholly 
successful. These gentlemen, however, were disposed to infer that 
the magnet exerts an incontestable magnetic action on the nervous 
system, to which, in part at least, the curative agency must be 
ascribed, and their conclusions were thought to be corroborated by 
cases observed by Alibert, Cayol, Chomel, Recamier, &c. The 
celebrated Laennec, 2 who employed the magnet in the manner re- 
commended by Halle, that is, by establishing a magnetic current 
through the diseased parts by means of several magnetised plates, 
affirms, that he frequently found it moderate the pain in pulmonary 
neuralgia, diminish the oppression in nervous asthma, suspend 
spasmodic hiccough, and exhibit its utility in simple neuralgia of 
the heart, and in angina pectoris. In the last disease, the applica- 
tion of a small blister under the anterior plate appeared to render 
the effects of the magnet more marked. 

It is not many years since considerable interest was excited in 
London by the success, said to have been obtained in the treatment 
of neuralgia, toothach, and other affections of the nerves, by the 
application of the ordinary magnet or mineral magnet, as it was 
termed by Dr. Blundell who employed it. 3 

It would appear, too, that owing to a considerable demand for 
loadstone, the conductors of the Bulletino delle Scienze Mediche, 4 
of Bologna, were led to make inquiries concerning the uses to 
which it was put. From these it appeared, that the Ex-Bey of 
Algiers, whilst at Leghorn, in 1831, mentioned to a Catholic dig- 
nitary, Father Campagnoli, who was suffering under gout, that the 
application of the loadstone was an oriental remedy for the disease, 
and of certain efficacy. He immediately procured a piece of load- 
stone, as he had been subject to regular and frequent attacks of 
gout since 1S05, and its application removed the next paroxysm. 
Since this time, he has always had recourse to the same remedy, 
and has found, that the attacks come on less frequently and severely, 
and that they invariably yield, so that he has rejected all his former 
plans of treatment. On the first symptom he goes to bed, and 
places the loadstone in close contact with the pained part ; he pre- 
sently falls asleep, and awakes free from pain, and able to walk. 
The loadstone he uses weighs five pounds, and has smooth sides. 

1 Mem de la Societe Royale de Medecine de Paris, pour 1776, p. 531, and 
Thouret, Art. Aimant, in Encycloped. Method. Partie Medicale, i. 421. 
Paris, 1786. 

2 Traite de l'Auscultation Mediate, 2d edit. torn. ii. 

8 See Lancet for 1833, and American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 
Nov. 1833, p. 247. 

< Marzo et Aprile, 1835; and British and Foreign Medical Review, July, 
1836, p. 246. 



262 dungltson's new remedies. 

He has recommended this plan to other gouty individuals, who 
have experienced similar relief. 

We have witnessed the application of the mineral magnet re- 
peatedly, in nervous diseases in persons of highly impressible 
habits ; but except in such, and apart from the effects of the imagi- 
nation, we have seen no beneficial results. 



MANNITUM. 

Synonymes. Saccharum Manna?, Mannita, Mannite. 
German. Mannit, Mannazucker, Mannastoff. 

This principle, which was first discovered by Proust, belongs to 
the varieties of sugar that are not susceptible of fermentation, and 
constitutes the chief ingredient of manna. Its presence is not con- 
fined, however, to that substance. It is met with in several other 
vegetable juices — cucumbers, melons, celery, beets, &c. Yet in 
these it is first found after fermentation, so that chemists have 
been disposed to regard it as a product of fermentation. 1 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Mannite is commonly procured from manna. Manna in la- 
chrymis, as it is obtained in commerce, is treated with boiling 
alcohol, filtered, and suffered to crystallise ; by rest and refrigera- 
tion mannite is precipitated in small beautifully white needles. 
The manna in tears consists almost wholly of mannite. Common 
manna, on the other hand, contains but little thereof, and in its 
place has a yellow extractive matter to which cathartic proper- 
ties have been assigned ; the coarse manna consists almost wholly 
of the latter. To obtain the mannite, the manna in tears is conse- 
quently selected. 

Should the administration of mannite, as a remedial agent, 
become more common, it may be worth the trouble to enquire, 
whether it might not be advantageous to prepare it from the vege- 
table juices above mentioned. 

Mannite, prepared in the above manner, is of a white colour; 
soluble in five parts of cold water, and in almost every proporion 
in boiling water; it seems to be entirely insoluble in cold absolute 
alcohol ; is somewhat more so in boiling alcohol, and still more so 
in boiling alcohol which contains water. At from 221° to 230° 
Fahrenheit, it melts into a colourless, adhesive fluid, and crystal- 
lises on cooling. When more strongly heated, it burns, and is 
decomposed like sugar. From its alcoholic solutions it separates 

1 Art. Mannite, in Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Med. 



MANNITUM. 263 

on cooling, in white, silky, shining, needle-shaped crystals, collected 
in stelliform roundish masses. 

When mannite is dissolved in an equal weight of boiling water, 
and the fluid is evaporated by a strong fire and rapid ebullition, 
until a small portion placed on a cold glass plate rapidly becomes 
solid, it may be poured out into shapes. 

The taste of the sugar of manna is feeble, but agreeably sweet ; 
it is inodorous, or at least nearly so. According to Liebig, man- 
nite consists of 40.0228 of carbon, 7.6234 of hydrogen, and 52.3537 
of oxygen. 

The granatine of the pomegranate root agrees so much with the 
mannite in its properties, that both may be regarded as the same 
substance. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

According to Magendie, 1 mannite may be advantageously substi- 
tuted for manna; as it possesses the cathartic property without the 
nauseous flavour* The dose is two drams for children, and, at 
times, as much as half an ounce ; but, in the latter case, Magendie 
always found the catharsis too active: for this reason he considers 
the latter to be the best dose for the adult. He recommends, that 
a syrup should be prepared from it, and that this should be pre- 
scribed both as a cathartic for children at the breast, and as an 
addition to other articles in cases of pulmonary catarrh. 

M. Solon has likewise spoken favourably of the therapeutical 
advantages of the sugar of manna. He administered it in three 
cases of gastricism — in two of them combined with castor oil — in 
which it induced, in a few hours, critical evacuations; and in a 
case of peritonitis, occasioned by obstinate constipation, its use was 
followed by the best effects. In the last case, the inflammation 
completely disappeared, without any other agency, when the con- 
stipation yielded. It was found, likewise, of essential service in 
convalescence from bronchitis and pneumonia. Only in two cases 
of females — the one labouring under ascites — the other under 
phlegmasia dolens, did the mannite fail to have any aperient 
agency. This, it was presumed, was probably owing to both of 
the patients having been habituated to the use of powerful cathar- 
tics, and to there not being enough of the preparation to admit of 
the administration of the appropriate quantity. 

According to Solon, mannite may be given in the dose of one or 
two ounces dissolved in from two to four ounces of a hot aromatic 
water, the solution to be taken warm, otherwise it forms a stiff, 
adhesive mass; or it may be added to the ordinary cathartic potions. 
He assigns it the preference over manna and castor oil; first, 
because it has an agreeable saccharine taste, and secondly, because 
it is always equally good, whilst those substances are often deterio- 
rated, and on that account uncertain in their effects. It appeared 

1 Formulaire, &c. dein. edit. 



264 dunglison's new remedies. 

to him to be peculiarly adapted for cases in which it was desirable 
to evacuate the intestines with as little excitation as possible. 

Magendie in his recent lectures on the blood, classes mannite 
amongst the substances that promote the coagulation of that fluid. 1 



MORPHINA. 

Synonymes. — Morphinum, Morphium, Morpheum, Morphia, Morphine, Pa- 
paverine. 2 
German. — Morphin. 

The discovery of this principle is ascribed to Seguin, and Ser- 
tiirner. who were engaged in the chemical analysis of opium 
upwards of thirty years ago, and although the former may have 
first detected it, the latter deserves the credit of having improved 
our acquaintance with it, and of having attracted to it the attention 
of chemists and physicians. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The following is M. Robiquel's method 3 : — he boils a very con- 
centrated solution of opium with a small quantity of magnesia — 
ten grains of the latter to a pound of opium — for a quarter of an 
hour. By this means, a tolerably copious, grayish precipitate is 
formed, which is collected on the filter, and washed with cold wa- 
ter. The well dried precipitate is then digested with weak alcohol 
for some time, at a temperature short of ebullition ; by which 
means a very small quantity of morphine, and a considerable quan- 
tity of colouring matter, are separated. The liquid is then filtered, 
and the residue washed with a little cold alcohol. It is then boiled 
for some time in pure alcohol, and filtered again whilst the liquid 
still boils. On cooling, the morphine is obtained, which, by repeated 
crystallisation, may be freed from the attached colouring matter. 

The process of Hottot is greatly followed in France. It is a 
modification of that used by Sertiirner, and similar to that adopted 
in the Pharmaconceia of the United States, and in the new London 
Pharmacopoeia. 

In this, opium is exhausted by tepid water, and the clear liquid 
is evaporated to a density of 2° of Beaume. Whilst the liquid is 
still tepid, a small quantity of ammonia is added, in order to render 

1 Leijons sur le Sang, &c. &c. Translation in Lond. Lancet for Jan. 26, 
1839, p. 636. 
* Jahn's HandwOrterbuoh der Ohemie, B. iii. S. 150. 
3 Annales de Chimie et de Physiq. v. 276. 



MORPHINA. 265 

it neutral or even slightly ammoniacal. In this manner, a brown, 
resinoid precipitate is thrown down, which contains only traces of 
morphine and narcotine. The liquor is filtered, and by the addi- 
tion of a fresh quantity of ammouia to it when cold, crystalline 
morphine is thrown down, which, when collected, dissolved in 
alcohol, and evaporated, is set aside to crystallise. 1 

Dr. F. Bache regards the process of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, 
as an improvement upon the last, and as being essentially the same 
with that of Dr. Edward Staples, which was published in the 
Journal of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. 2 

Mr. Brande considers the process proposed by Robertson and 
Gregory to be the simplest and the best. 3 Chloride of calcium is 
added to a strong aqueous solution of opium to precipitate the acids 
by which the alkaloids are held in solution ; it is then filtered and 
evaporated to thy consistency of syrup, and set aside to crystallise, 
the crystals are strongly pressed to squeeze out the mother liquor, 
which contains narcotine and other impurities. The pressed crys- 
tals are then purified by solution, crystallisation, and the action of 
animal charcoal, till they are obtained colourless; they consist of 
the hydrochlorates of morphine and codeine ; they are dissolved in 
hot water, and ammonia is added, which throws down morphine, 
and which, being separated upon a filter, may be redissolved in 
boiling alcohol, and obtained in crystals. The liquor, from which 
the morphine has been precipitated, contains codeine, together with 
hydrochlorate of ammonia, and some morphine; it must be evapo- 
rated until it crystallises, and the crystallised mass must be dis- 
solved in a small quantity of water, and be decomposed by excess 
of a solution of caustic potassa ; codeine is thrown down, and, 
when redissolved in ether, may be obtained in crystals. See 
Codeine. 

Tilloy, Petit, and others, have obtained morphine on the large 
scale from the domestic opium. 4 

Morphine is composed of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and azote. 
The crystals are completely white, translucent, almost transparent, 
and slightly opaline ; they are wholly inodorous. In the form of 
powder, morphine is of loose texture, and as fine as magnesia. It 
melts at a trifling degree of heat, and very much resembles, in this 
state, melted sulphur; but it crystallises again on cooling. It is 
sparingly soluble in water; and in cold water scarcely at all so. 
Boiling water, according to Choulant, dissolves one eighty-second 
part ; according to Jahn, only one four hundredth ; and according 
to Bally, 5 it is even less soluble than strychnine, which, he says, 

1 Journal de Pharmacie, x. 479. 

2 Vol. i. p. 15: see the excellent Dispensatory of the United States, by 
Drs. Wood & Bache, 4th edit. Phil. 1839. For Faure : s process, see Journal 
of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, ii. 71. Philad. 1831. 

3 Dictionary of Materia Medica, p. 383. Lond. 1839. 

4 Art. Morphine, in Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Med. 
' Memoire de 1'Academie Royale de Medecine, i. 99. 



366 dunglison's new remedies. 

requires 6000 parts of water for its solution. It is more readily 
soluble in alcohol, and still more so in ether, as well as in fixed 
and volatile oils; the solutions have a nauseous, bitter taste. It is 
alkaline in its nature. The crystals appear to be rectangular four- 
sided prisms. With all the acids it forms peculiar, readily soluble, 
and very bitter salts, of which the sulphate, acetate, and muriate 
are the most used. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

Generally — it has been affirmed — morphine acts on the nervous 
system like opium, but does not exert the same agency on the vas- 
cular system. Magendie 1 asserts, that it possesses all the advan- 
tages of opium without any of ifs disadvantages. Bally 2 took 
especial pains to investigate the effects of morphine on the organ- 
ism, and the results he communicated to the Academie Royale de 
Medecine, of Paris. The most, striking was its action on the brain, 
which, when sufficient doses were administered, appeared to cause 
death by sanguineous apoplexy, as Bally had an opportunity of 
observing in one case, on dissection. In this there were no traces 
of injection of the membranes of the brain, whilst under -the arach- 
noid much albuminous serum was effused, and there was an ex- 
travasation of blood into the left hemisphere of the brain. 

This result is especially to be apprehended in those persons who 
have experienced an apoplectic attack previously. Bally found, 
moreover — which does not accord with our experience — that the 
morphine was more soothing and soporific in small doses than in 
larger. It occasioned, in the latter case, cerebral confusion, vertigo, 
perversion of the senses, and a feeling of "electric agency, which com- 
menced in different parts of the trunk and also in the extremities; 
but no delirium supervened, and the intellectual faculties experi- 
enced no alteration. In consequence of these effects on the senso- 
rium, the energy of the motory apparatus suffered. By long 
administration, morphine, like opium, excited troublesome tremors. 
The pupils Bally found contracted under its use, when larger 
doses were given, which is entirely opposed to the ordinary effect 
of narcotic agents. Not unfrequently when morphine was con- 
tinued, the soothing and soporific effect was preceded, for some 
days, by restlessness, and loss of sleep. Very often it excited 
headach. On the vascular system it did not act as an excitant — 
neither rendering the pulse quicker, more frequent, nor tenser. 
The opposite effect seemed, indeed, to be induced by it. It has no 
action, Bally affirms, as an emmenagogue ; produces no diapho- 
resis — which does not, by the way, at all accord with our obser- 
vation — does not even augment the animal heat, or redden the 

1 Formulaire pour la Preparation, &c. de plusieurs nouveaux Medicamens. 

2 Revue Medicale, Fevriei, 1824, and Mem. de la Societe Royale de 
Medecine, i. 142. 



M0RPHINA. 



267 



face, but frequently causes itching either over the whole sur- 
face of the body, or topically; in the latter case, the sensation 
being chiefly felt in the face, neck', loins or genitals. At times, the 
itching is associated with an eruption of conical weals or bumps, 
which are either red or of the ordinary colour of the skin, and can 
generally be detected more readily by the touch than the sight. 
On the organs of respiration the morphine exerts no influence; and 
as to its effects on the digestive organs, it may be remarked, that it 
has no agency on the mouth, pharynx, or cesophagus, except that 
ptyalism has been observed to result from it. The tongue is not 
made red or dry, nor are the tonsils. It does not excite thirst ; but, 
at times, there is a sense of bitterness in the mouth, which is a fore- 
runner of its effects on the stomach. The appetite is not diminish- 
ed, except when the emetic properties of the morphine are developed 
in a high degree. Vomiting is not caused by large doses only, but 
in many individuals by small doses, and it may be very violent. 
Commonly, morphine causes constipation, on which, at times, 
diarrhoea supervenes. Yery frequently, also, colic is induced by it. 

Morphine possesses, according to Bally, vermifuge properties. In 
men he found it to excite frequently ischuria, but not in women. 
The urine, however, exhibited no change of character. 1 

Our own views of its action — when no idiosyncrasy interferes 
with its ordinary operation — is that it exerts a decided sedative 
influence on the nervous and sanguiferous systems ; and this ac- 
cords with the experiments instituted on animals by Mr. Blake. 2 
He found, when it was introduced into the veins of an animal, that 
it exhibited its effects upon the heart, by rendering its pulsations 
slower and diminishing the pressure of the arterial system. 

As in the case of opium, the system may, under excessive pain 
or long continued use, be so habituated to its action as to bear very 
large doses. Mr. Lin gen, 3 of Hereford, has published a case in 
which a female, under a painful affection, took scruple, and, 
according to her own report, half dram doses of the acetate; and 
Mr. Teevan, 4 of London, one of a gentleman, labouring under a 
disease of the spinal cord, attended with violent spasms of the 
muscles of the chest, abdomen, and inferior extremities, who took, 
on one occasion, twenty-five grains in the twenty-four hours. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Morphine, it is thought, may often be administered advantage- 
ously, not only where opium is indicated, but where it disagrees. 
Riecke 5 remarks, that where diaphoresis is needed it cannot sup- 
plant opium, but in this we apprehend he is mistaken, at least in 

•Richter's Specielle Therapie, 2ie Auflage, S. 358. Berlin, 182S. 

2 Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journ. April, 1839, p. 344. 

3 Lond. Lancet, Jan. 26, 1839, p. 680. 
* Ibid, for Feb. 9, 1839, p. 738. 

6 Die neuern Arzneirailtel, u. s. w. S. 327. 



268 dunglison's new remedies. 

febrile and inflammatory diseases. In such cases we have observed a 
sedative dose of opium succeed in restoring the cutaneous transpira- 
tion more effectually than any other agent, by allaying the patho- 
logical condition on which the suppression of perspiration was 
dependent. With many persons and in many cases it possesses 
decided advantages over opium, but we have often found where 
opium disagreed, morphine and its preparations did so likewise. 

As a general rule, it may be said, morphine is proper, where 
opium, in sedative doses, is demanded ; hence it is had recourse to 
in febrile and inflammatory diseases, where there is much pain or 
sleeplessness — singly or combined, and in the various neurotic 
affections. 

On account of the very sparing solubility of morphine in water, 
it is but seldom prescribed ; although Bally — in opposition to many 
experimenters— asserts, that he has found it equally efficacious 
with its salts. As, however, this result is doubtless owing to the 
existence of acid in the stomach, and, consequently, is liable to un- 
certainty, it is advisable to give the salts of morphine the prefer- 
ence, which are administered in nearly the same doses as the pure 
morphine itself. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

Pure morphine is only given internally in the form of powder or 
of pill, beginning with from one sixteenth to one fourth of a grain 
once or twice a day, and gradually increasing the dose to one grain 
and a half. If its use has been discontinued for some days, the 
dose, when resumed, must be again small, and be gradually 
increased. 

Hauslus MorphincB. 

[Potio Narcotica.) 

Draught of Morphine.. 

Bt. Morphin. gr. \ 
Aq. destillat. §j. 
Syrup, papav. jj. M. 

To be taken at bedtime. 

Enema Morphines. 

(Injectio Leniens.) 

Injection of Morphine. 

§f. 01. amygdal. dulc. 
Ol. lilior. aa. §ss. 
Morphinoe, gr. ij. 

To allay pain in the ear, the suffering in acute blennorrhag'a, 
and the tenesmus in hemorrhoids, &c. Brera. 1 

1 Ricettario Clinico. Padova, 1825. 



MORPHINE ACETAS. 



MORPHINES ACETAS. 



269 



Synonymes. — Morphium Aceticum, Acetas Morphei, Acetate of Morphine. 
French. — Acetate de Morphine. 
German. — Essigsaures Morphin. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The acetate of morphine is obtained by mixing morphine and 
acetic acid in an appropriate vessel, and gradually evaporating to 
dryness, at a temperature of about 90° Fahr. This mode of pre- 
paration is required, owing to the difficulty of obtaining the acetate 
crystallised, in consequence of its extreme deliquescence. Crys- 
tallised acetate of morphine may, however, be prepared by dis- 
solving morphine in alcohol, saturating with acetic acid, filtering 
the solution, and evaporating gradually in a vessel covered over 
with thin rag. The acetate crystallises in an arborescent manner 
on the sides of the vessel. 

The acetate of morphine is one of the substances, which, in the 
experiments of Magendie, 1 were found to promote the coagulation 
of the blood. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

The dose of this article is from a quarter of a grain and less, to a 
grain or more. Its strength does not vary materially from that ol 
pure morphine. 

Liquor Morphince Acetatis. 

Solution of Acetate of Morphine. 

5t. Acetat. morphin. gr. xvj. 
Aquae destillatae, ^vj. 
Acid, acetic, ^ij. M. 

This formula was proposed by the author 3 as a substitute for the 
" gouttes calmanles" of Magendie, 3 which permit the deposition of 
the morphine when kept for a short time. The dose is from six to 
twenty-four drops. 



£. Morphin. acetat. gr. xvj. 
Aquae disiillat. 3j. 
Acid, acetic, gtt. iij vel. iv. 
Alcohol. 3j. Fiat solutio. 



Magendie. 



1 Lecons sur le Sang, &c, and translation, in London Lancet, Jan. 26, 
183?). p. 636. 

2 Formulary, &c, translated from Magendie, by C. T. Haden, Esq., 2d 
edit., by Robley Dunglison, M. D. p. 14. Lond. J824. Amer. edit. Philad. 
1825. 

3 Formulaire, &c. 



270 dunglison's new remedies. 

Syrupus Morphince Acetatis. 

Syrup of Acetate of Morphine. 

9*. Morphinae acetatis, gr. iv. 
Syrupi simplic. Bj. 
Dissolve the salt in half a dram of water, acidulated with a few drops of 
acetic acid ; filter, and add it to the syrup. 

This syrup is recommended and used in Paris, in place of the 
syrupus papaveris. It has the advantage of being always of uni- 
form strength. Magendie. 

The acetate of morphine has been much used endermically in 
the diseases mentioned under the head of Morphine. A quarter 
or half a grain or more is placed on some part of the skin, whence 
the cuticle has been removed ; and it may be repeated, as the case 
may require. In the severer neuralgic and neurotic cases, the 
quantity applied in this way is sometimes very large. In a case of 
hydrophobia reported by Dr. Burne, 1 of London, ten grains at a 
time were sprinkled on a blistered surface, with excellent tranquil- 
lising effects. At times, when applied to a blistered surface for 
several days in succession, a papular eruption has been observed, 
which quickly becomes vesicular, proceeding from the edges of the 
blister, and gradually spreading over the entire surface. 2 

It has been likewise proposed to inoculate with morphine. If 
the point of a lancet, dipped in an aqueous solution of morphine, 
be inserted horizontally, about one line in depth beneath the epi- 
dermis, and be allowed to remain there a few seconds, the follow- 
ing effects, according to M. Lafargue, are observed: — About a 
minute and a half after the operation, a small pimpje, with a diffuse 
rosy areola, and slightly itching : in about twenty minutes, the 
pimple becomes about four lines in diameter, and one line in thick- 
ness, and is flattened : its colour is somewhat deeper than that of 
the skin ; it is hard ; the areola very red, and about an inch and a 
half in diameter; its heat is increased, but the sensation of itching 
remains about the same. During the first hour, the pimple and its 
areola are at their highest degree of development, after which they 
gradually disappear. 

The general effects, which M. Lafargue experienced from thir- 
teen punctures thus made on the anterior part of his forearm, 
were,— -heaviness of the head, frequent yawnings, clamminess of 
the mouth, and an invincible desire to sleep; yet the quantity of 
muriate of morphine employed could not have exceeded a quarter 
of a grain. He considers, that the inoculation of morphine may 
supersede the use of blisters and ammoniacal plasters, and that it 
deserves employment more particularly where the object of the 
physician is to produce the local effects of morphine. Its effects 

1 Lond. Med. Gaz., April, 14, 1838. 

2 Dr. A. T. Thomson, in Lond. Lancet, for Jan. 19, 1839, p. 622. 



MORPHINE ACETAS. 271 

as a rubefacient are marked, and hence its probable utility in 
superficial neuralgia, and in chronic rheumatism. 

The experiments of Lafargue were repeated by M. Martin Solon, 
with nearly the same results. 1 

The acetate may, also, be applied in the form of ointment ; and 
it is frequently added to glysters, in cases of chronic diarrhoea. 
Hildenbrand recommends the following ointment to be rubbed on 
the pubes in cancer of the uterus. 

Unguentum Morphince Acetatis. 
Ointment of Acetate of Morphine. * 

5t. Morphina 1 acetat. gr. iv. 
Ung. bydrarg. ciner. 
simpl. aa. gij. 

A piece, the size of a pea, to be rubbed on the pubic region twice 

daily. 

Dr. Francis Gerard, of Avignon, has found the acetate so highly 
useful in Asiatic cholera, that he prefers it to all other remedies. 
Of ninety-nine patients treated thereby, eighty-one were cured. 
He found, when given early, that it especially checked the vomit- 
ing, and moderated the subsequent reaction, after which the 
other symptoms gradually ceased. When, however, the resources 
of art had been long postponed, the effects of the remedy were less 
marked ; the vomiting and the other symptoms persisted longer ; 
the supervening reaction was much more tardy, and frequently 
ended in a state of collapse, which, under the most trifling impru- 
dence, produced an unfortunate result. Gerard administered the 
acetate at first in the dose of one-fourth of a grain every half hour, 
until the serious symptoms were removed, and he omitted it as 
soon as the spasms and the diarrhoea and vomiting had ceased, or 
as soon as reaction ensued. 

A solution of acetate of morphine, which he terms liquor opii, 
has been proposed by Mr. Houlton. 2 He prepares it as follows: — 
Take two ounces and a half of the best Turkey opium ; thirty-two 
fluid ounces of Beaufoy's acid, the strength of pickling vinegar : 
macerate with a gentle heat for six days, frequently shaking the 
vessel ; then filter, and evaporate the fluid to the consistence of the 
extracts of the pharmacopoeia, finishing the evaporation by the 
spontaneous method. This Mr. Houlton employs under the name 
extract um opii aceticum. To the above extract he adds alcohol 
five fluid ounces; distilled water thirty-five fluid ounces; mace- 
rating for eight days, and filtering. 

This liquor opii is about the strength of the tinctura opii in 
sedative property, and Mr. Houlton affirms, from his observations, 

1 Bulletin de l'Academie Rovale de Medecine, Nos. 1 and 7. 1836-7. 
1 Lond. Med. Gazette, Aug. 12, 1837. 



272 



DUNGLISON'S NEW REMEDIES. 



that it is in no respect inferior to Battley's liquor opii sedativus, — 
a secret preparation, which has been much used. 



MORPHINE SULPHAS. 



Synonymes. — Morphium SulphUricum. 
French. — Sulfate de Morphine. 
German. — Schwefelsaures Morphin. 



METHOD OF PREPARING. 



Morphine is dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid. The solution is 
then evaporated by heat, and suffered to crystallise, which it does 
in silken tufts. 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The general effects on the economy in health and disease re- 
semble those of the acetate of morphine, to which it is perhaps to 
be preferred on account of its greater uniformity. There is an 
advantage, however, in retaining both preparations in the materia 
medica, as when the system becomes accustomed to the one, the 
other may be substituted, ■ 

In his experiments on the blood Magendie 1 found that the 
sulphate of morphine — unlike the acetate and the muriate — opposed 
the coagulation of that fluid. 

A syrupus morphines, sulphatis, a liquor morphines svlphatis, 
and an uneruentum morphines sulphatis may be formed in the same 
manner as with the acetate of morphine. 

The common form for the solution of sulphate of morphine is the 
following : — 2 

Liquor Morphines Sulphatis. 

Solution of Sulphate of Morphine. 

&. Morphin. sulph. gr. ij. 

Aquae distillat. 3 i j - Fiat solutio. 

Dose. — A tea-spoonful (which is considered to be equivalent to 
about twelve or fourteen drops of laudanum,) to be repeated as 
occasion may require. 

1 Lemons sur le Sang, &c. ; and translation in London Lancet, January 
26. 1839. 

2 The Medical Formulary, &c. By B. Ellis, M. D. p. 132. Philadelphia, 
1838. 



MORPHINE SULPHAS. 273 

The muriate* and the citrate of morphine axe likewise occasion- 
ally used; but they possess no advantage over the preparations 
described above. The former is officinal in the last London 
Pharmacopoeia. 

Many years ago, Dr. Porter, of Bristol, recommended a liquor 
morphince citratis to be prepared in the following manner: — Beat 
four ounces of the best crude opium in a mortar, with two ounces 
of crystallised citric acid ; mix well with a pint of boiling water; 
filter after twenty-four hours' maceration. Dr. Paris speaks well 
of this preparation. 2 Magendie recommends the substitution of the 
following process : 

5<. Morphin. pur. gr. xvi. 

Acid, citric, crystalliz. gr. viij. 
Aquae destillat. §j. 
Tinct. coccinel. q. s. Fiat solutio. 
Dose. — Six to twenty-four drops in the twenty-four hours. 

A tartrate of morphine was suggested by Mr. Haden 3 as a sub- 
stitute for the liquor opii sedativus, of Battley. Mr. Haden made 
it by macerating the dregs remaining after making the tincture of 
opium in a solution of tartaric acid. Forty drops acted in all 
respects like twenty of the liquor opii sedativus. It neither stimu- 
lated nor induced costiveness. 

Of late the bimeconate of morphine has been brought before the 
notice of the profession by Mr. Squire, 4 but he has not given the 
formula for its preparation. Impressed with the idea that the 
combination of the active principle of opium, as prepared by 
nature, would prove more beneficial as a therapeutical agent than 
the artificial salts, he instituted a number of experiments, with the 
view of procuring the bimeconate as free from the other ingredients 
of opium as possible; and he asserts that at length he obtained a 
tolerably pure salt, which, from the trials that have been made 
with it, has fully answered his expectations as to its superior medi- 
cinal power over the other preparations of opium. The salt is given 
in solution, made nearly of the same strength as laudanum. 

Dr. Macleod, who made trial of it, asserts, that it appeared to 
him to be a very mild and efficient preparation, rarely producing 
headuch or other discomfort ; and that it repeatedly answered, in 
the most satisfactory manner, where opium had 'disagreed, and 
succeeded in some cases where the other salts of morphine — the 
acetate and hydrochlorate — had failed to give relief. 

' For Dr. Wrn. Gregory's mode of preparing the muriate, see Edinb. 
Med. and Surg. Journ. for April, 1331; Amer. Journ. for Aug. 1831, p. 531; 
and Philad. Journal of Pharmacy, iii. 124. See, also, Mi. M. Robertson, in 
Edinb. Med. and Sur?. Journ. April, 1832. 

2 Pharmacolosia, 4th Amer. 7th Lond. edit. By Dr. J. B. Beck, p. 439. 
New York, 1831. 

5 Translation of Magendie's Formulary, 2d edit. By Robley Dunglison, 
M. D. &c. p. 19. Lond. 1824. 

* Lond. Med. Gaz. Mar. 9, 1839. 

10— e duvgl 18 



274 dunglison's new remedies. 

Equally strong testimony in its favour is afforded by Dr. A. T. 
Thomson, who details three cases — one of neuralgic pain of tho 
left side of the face; another of wakefulness, without any apparent 
cause, and a third of anomalous pain of the hip and thigh, all 
benefited strikingly by its use. 



NARCOTINA. 

Synonymes. — Narcotinum, Narcotine, Opiane, Matter or Salt of Derosne. 
French. — Matiere ou Sel de Derosne, Sel Essentiel d'Opium. 
German. — Narkotin, Opiao, Derosne's Opiumsalz. 

On this substance, which is one of the immediate principles of 
opium, and which has attracted the attention of many chemists and 
therapeutist^, much uncertainty exists with regard to its precise 
properties. It seems, that it has not hitherto been found except in 
opium. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

It is commonly obtained, either from the aqueous extract of 
opium, by means of ether, which only dissolves the narcotine, and 
consequently requires but to be evaporated to obtain it ; or from 
crude opium, which has been exhausted by cold water ; it may 
hence be obtained from the residue after the preparation of the 
aqueous extract of opium of the shops. 

With this view, the opium is twice treated with boiling acetic 
acid at 2° or 3° ; it is precipitated by ammonia, and the washed 
precipitate is purified by treating it with hot alcohol at 40° and a 
little animal charcoal; the liquid is then filtered, and the pure nar- 
cotine is precipitated on cooling. 

It crystallises in very white needles ; is devoid of taste and 
smell; fusible in the manner of resins, and very slightly soluble in 
water ; soluble, with the aid of heat in alcohol, and in the volatile 
and the fixed oils ; very soluble in ether, which distinguishes it from 
morphine ; very soluble also in cold acetic acid, whence it is precipi- 
tated on heating the solution — another mode of separating it from 
morphine. It is coloured of a vivid red by nitric acid ; and is ana- 
logous, in some respects, to the crystallisable resins or sub-resins 
of M. Bonastre. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

These have been so contradictory, that it has been conceived, 
1 Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Med. Art. Narcotine. 



NARCOTINA. 275 

the same preparations cannot have been used by different ob- 
servers. 1 

According to Magendie, 2 morphine is the anodyne principle of 
opium, and morphine the exciting. When a grain of narcotine, 
dissolved in oil was given to a dog, it produced a state of stupor, 
which superficial observers might readily confound with sleep; 
but it differed evidently from sleep ; the animal's eyes were open ; 
the respiration was not deep as in sleep, and it was impossible to 
arouse it from its sluggish condition. Death generally took place 
in twenty-four hours. When combined with acetic aid, it produced 
quite different effects. Animals could bear a dose of even twenty- 
four grains without dying, and whilst under its influence, they 
were agitated by convulsions like those which camphor induces — 
exhibiting the same signs of fright, the same backward motions, 
foaming at the mouth, convulsions of the jaws, &c. When mor- 
phine and narcotine were both given at the same time, the different 
effects of each occurred together. A grain of morphine, for exam- 
ple, and a strain of narcotine dissolved in acetic acid, were placed 
in the pleura of a dog. The animal soon became drowsy and fell 
asleep under the influence of the morphine, but a singular and re- 
markable strife appeared to go on for an hour and a half, between 
the stimulating effects of the narcotine and the anodyne effects of 
the morphine. At length, however, the animal slept soundly, being 
probably, Magendie suggests, under the influence of the morphine 
alone. His opinion is, that narcotine is injurious when not united 
with an acid, and very exciting when so united. 

M. Orfila — the celebrated toxicologist — it appears, has enter- 
tained various views upon the action of narcotine ; at one time 
considering it inert, at another to possess the same action as mor- 
phine; and, at another, to concur, when combined with morphine, 
in the properties of opium, but to a slight degree — since opium, 
deprived of narcotine, is not less deleterious — and to possess another 
modus operandi than opium, without, however, our being able to 
regard it as the exciting principle. 3 

Owing to all these uncertainties connected with it, narcotine is 
little if at all employed in medicine. It would seem, however, 
that the exciting properties of opium do not appertain exclusively 
to it ; for, as has been elsewhere remarked, there are many persons, 
who are as disagreeably affected by morphine alone as they are by 
opium which contains both morphine and narcotine. 

1 Ibid, and Diet, des Sciences Medicales, xxxiv. 298. 

9 Formulaire pour la Pr6paration, &c. de plusieurs nouveaux Medica- 
mens. 
3 Merat & De Lens, Op. cit., and Orfila, Toxicologic Generale, ii. 69. 



276 dunglison's new rem i dies. 

NUX VOMICA. 

Synonymes — Vomic Nut, Poison Nut, Bachelor's Buttons. 
French. — Noix Vomique. 
German. — Krahenaugen. 

EXTRACTUM NUCIS VOMICAE SPIR1TU0SUM. 

Synonymes.— Extractum Nucis Vomicae Resinosum, E. Nucis Vomicae 
Alcoliolicum, Spirituous, Resinous or Alcoholic Extract of Nux Vomica. 
French.— Extrait Alcoolique de Noix Vomique. 
German. — Geistiges Extrakt der Krahenaugen. 

In the year 1809, Mage n die discovered that one entire class of 
vegetables — the bitter strychnos — has the power of exciting the 
spinal marrow, without implicating, except indirectly, the func- 
tions of the brain. 1 Since then, many have confirmed the observa- 
tions of Magendie, and have attended especially to its agency in 
various diseases. The preparation of the strychnos most used — 
if we except the active principle — has been the alcoholic extract of 
the nux vomica. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Take any quantity of rasped nux vomica ; exhaust it by repeated 
macerations in alcohol of 40° (.817), and evaporate it slowly to the 
consistence of an extract. Alcohol of less strength may be used, 
but, according to Magendie, the product will be proportionally less 
active. A dried alcoholic extract is made by dissolving in water 
the alcoholic extract made by means of alcohol at 36° (.837); 
filtering and evaporating in appropriate dishes, as in making the 
dry extract of bark. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

According to Magendie, a grain of this extract, absorbed from 
any part of the body, or mixed with food ? promptly destroys a dog 
of considerable size, by inducing paroxysms of tetanus, which, by 
their continuance, arrest the respiration sufficiently long to induce 
complete asphyxia. When the dose is much stronger, the animal 
appears to die entirely from the action of the nux vomica on the 
nervous system. 2 

If an animal be touched whilst under the action of the substance, 
it experiences a commotion similar to that of a strong electric 
shock, and this takes place each time the contact is renewed. On 
dissection no morbid appearances exist which can account for 
death. 

1 Examen de Paction de quelques vegetaux sur la moelle epiniere. Paris 
1809; and Formulaire, &c. 

2 Segalas. in Journal de Physiologie, par Magendie, Oct. 1822. 



NUX VOMICA. 277 

When introduced into the frog's stomach, Dr. Lombard, 1 of 
Geneva, found that it produced tetanic convulsions, which, in a 
few hours, caused death. The contractions of the heart were 
sometimes strong 1 and complete, sometimes irregular, tumultuous, 
and intermitting; always diminished in frequency. Applied to 
the heart itself, it slightly stimulated it, rendering the pulsations 
more energetic and frequent, whence Dr. Lombard concludes that 
the nux vomica cannot be used with advantage in any diseases of 
the heart ; for, although it diminishes the frequency of the pulsa- 
tions, it renders them irregular. 

The action of the extract on healthy man is the same as that 
described by Magendie, and if the dose be sufficiently large, death 
speedily follows with the same symptoms. 2 In those that are 
affected with paralysis the effect is also the same, but what is 
singular, it is particularly manifested on the paralysed parts by 
tetanic convulsions, and a feeling of creeping, which indicate the 
operation of the remedy ; a local perspiration is also often observed 
to break out on some parts of the body. When administered in 
cases of hemiplegia the contrast between the two sides of the body 
is rendered striking; whilst the sound side remains at rest, the 
other may be violently agitated ; tetanic shocks may supervene and 
a copious perspiration break out. In a female, Magendie saw the 
affected side covered by a peculiar eruption, whilst the other side 
afforded no trace of it. There is a difference even between the two 
sides of the tongue, a decidedly bitter taste being occasionally per- 
ceived on the one, whilst the other exhibits nothing similar. 

If a much larger dose be given, both sides of the body partici- 
pate, but unequally, in the tetanic spasms, so that the patient is 
sometimes thrown out of bed by the violence of the contractions. 
When given in very small doses, it has not immediately any per- 
ceptible effects, and some days elapse before its advantageous or 
noxious properties can be appreciated. 

According to Magendie 3 the extract may be given in all diseases 
that are attended with debility, general or local, and in paralysis 
of all kinds, general or partial. He himself observed excellent 
effects from it in marked cases of debility of the genital organs, 
incontinence of urine, &c. He also used it in several cases of 
partial atrophy of the upper and lower extremities with advantage. 
As regards its administration in cases of paralysis succeeding to 
apoplexy, he remarks, that it should not be given until some time 
after the coup de sang" in the brain, which occasioned the palsy ; 
and that even then beneficial results can be expected only when no 
marked organic mischief exists ; indeed, in the latter case, he con- 

' Gazette Medicalc de Paris, Oct. 10, 1835. 

1 See the details of two cases of poisoning by nux vomica, in Lond. Med. 
Rep. xix, 418 and 456: Christison on Poisons, and Brande, Dictionary of 
Materia Medica, p. 375. Lond. 1839. 

3 Formnlaire pour la Preparation, &c. de plusieurs nouveaux M6di- 
camens, &c. 



278 dunglison's new remedies. 

siders the disease irremediable, and that bad effects might result 
from pushing the remedy. 

The efficacy of the alcoholic extract of mix vomica in various 
forms of paralysis has been confirmed by many observers. Eveti 
before Magendie had employed it, Fouquier 1 had given it in several 
cases of paralysis, with the most satisfactory results. Since then 
we have had the testimonies of Chauffart, 2 Gendron, 3 Perrussel, 
Recamier, Mauricet, Baxter, 4 Galli, Hauff, Wenneis, Burkard, 
Petrequin, s Gellie, 6 and numerous others in its favour. 

Our own experience with it in cases of hemiplegia has not been 
limited; yet although we have succeeded in inducing tetanic move- 
ments in the limb, we have not been satisfied that much advantage 
has been derived from it; 7 nor are the results of the experiments 
and observations of Jahn by any means in accordance with those 
of the practitioners just mentioned. He tried it in numerous cases 
of paralysis, but affirms, that he did not see any good effect from 
it, and with the exception of two cases, did not notice the slightest 
action, although the extract was carefully prepared according to 
the formula given by Magendie. Yet, he remarks, he was by no 
means sparing in the dose. In the two cases in which a change 
seemed to be induced, there was an evident increase of the 
paralysis. 

This discrepancy, as well as other evidences of the same contra- 
riety of experience, must doubtless have been owing to difference 
in the strength and quality of the preparation; and hence the value 
of the strychnine — its active principle — which is not liable to the 
same uncertainty. 8 

In cases of partial paralysis, as' in colica pictonum, amaurosis, 9 
palsy of the rectum, &c, both the alcoholic extract of the nux 
vomica and its active principle have been used and with good 
effect (see Strychnina.) 

Cazenave gave the extract successfully in a case of St. Vitus's 
dance, which had resisted every other remedy. Sir Charles 
Scudamore found it useful in neuralgia, especially in neuralgia 
faciei. Vogt gave it — not without advantage — in cardialgia ; Hil- 
denbrand in epilepsy; by the Russian and Polish physicians it 
was administered advantageously in choleric diarrhoea ; and by 
many it has been strongly advised in chronic diarrhoea and dysen- 



1 Bulletin de la Faculte de Medecine, &c. vol. v. 1818. 

2 Journ. Gener. de Med. Oct. 1824. 
s Journ. General. Nov. 1829. 

* New York Medical Repos. vol. viii. 

6 Gazette Medicale de Paris, Nov. 3, 183?. 

6 La Lancette Franchise, Aout 29, 1837. 

7 See, also, Chauffari, in Op. cit. 

8 Richter^s Specielle Therapie, a. s. w. B. x. S. 352. Berlin, 1828. 

9 Petrequin & Miquel, in Bulletin General de Therapeutique, Juillet, 
1838. 



NUX VOMICA. 279 

tery 1 as well as i.n dyspepsia, in the varieties termed pyrosis and 
gastrodynia, especially when they appeared to proceed from morbid 
irritability of the nerves of the stomach. 2 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The best form for exhibiting the alcoholic extract of the nux 
vomica, according to Magendie, is in pill, when we are desirous of 
inducing the tetanic convulsions. Each pill may contain a grain 
of the extract. One or two pills may be given at first, and the 
dose be daily augmented until the required effect be induced. It 
may then be discontinued to avoid accidents. It is better, he 
thinks, to give the pills in the evening, as night is the most favour- 
able time for observing the phenomena we are desirous of inducing. 
It is sometimes necessary to increase the dose to twenty or thirty 
grains, before the tetanic effects supervene, but commonly from 
four to six grains are sufficient. Esquirol saw two cases, in one of 
which death took place after eighteen grains; in the other, after 
five ; the stomach and bowels were found inflamed. Elliotson 
began with half a grain of a well prepared extract, and increased, 
the dose every day, or every other day, by a quarter of a grain ; 
but none of the patients bore a greater quantity than seven grains, 
and few more than four. 

If from any cause the administration of the remedy has been in- 
terrupted for some days, it is necessary to recommence with the 
small doses, and to increase them again gradually as before. 

When it is desirable to produce only the slow effects of the 
remedy, a grain or half a grain daily is sufficient. 

Magendie directs a tincture to be made from the extract — the 
Tinctura Nucis Vomica, T. Strycknos. T. Nucum Vomicari'm, 
which has been introduced into some of the pharmacopoeias. It is 
made by taking three grains of the dried alcoholic extract of the 
nux vomica, and dissolving it in an ounce of alcohol at 36° (.837). 
It is given by drops, and in mixtures, in those cases, in which the 
alcoholic extract itself is indicated. 

Tinctura Nucis Vomica, Composita. 

Compound Tincture of Nux Vomica. 

*. Extract, nuc. vomic. spir. gr. xxiv. 
Camph.orae, 5jj. 
Tinct. pyrethri. sj. M. 
Dose. — Twenty drops, four times a day, with arnica tea, in cases 
of paralysis. Vogt. 

1 Most's Encyclop&die, 2te Auflage, Art. Dysenteria, i. 573. Leipz. 1836. 
Geddings' N. American Archives, No. 2, Nov. 1834. Dr. Roots, in St. 
Thomas's Hospital Reports, No. iii. for April, 1336 ; and Hufeland, in Bally, 
Bull. Gener. de Therap. Fevrier, 1838. 

2 Mellor. in Med. Gaz. Mar. 4, 1837, p. 850. Dr. H. S. Melcombe, ibid. 
Mar. 25, 1837, p. 964; and Amer. Med. Intell. July 1, 1837, p. 124. Dr. M. 
Huss, in Zeitschrift fur die gesammte Medicin. May, 1837, 393, and 
Amer. Med. Intell. Aug. 1, p. 162. 



280 dunglison's new remedies. 

*. Tinct. nucis vomicae, 
Tinct. cantharid. 
Napth. phosphorat. 1 ^ij. M. s 

Dose. — Thirty drops, three or four times a day, with arnica 
tea, in the paralysis of torpid subjects. Vogt. 

Mistura Nucis Vomica. 

Mixture of Nux Vomica. 

&. Extract, nuc. vomic. spirit, gr. ij — iv — vj. 
Aqua? melissae, gvj. 
Mucilag. gum. acac. £ss. M. 

Dose. — Two spoonfuls, every two hours, in epilepsy. 

HlLDENBRAND. 

A similar form is recommended by Richter 2 in dysentery. Two 
table-spoonfuls every two hours. 

Pilala Nucis Vomica. 

Pills of Nux Vomica. 

*. Ext. nuc. vomic. spirit. 9j. 
Ext. glycyrrhiz. Svij. 
Misce et riant pilulse lxxx. 

Dose. — Two to six, two or three times a day, in paralysis. 

Pulveres Nucis Vomica. 

Powders of Nux Vomica. 

£. Bismuth, nilrat. prsecip. 

Ext. nucis vomica? spirit, aa. gr. ss. 
Magnes. carbonat. gr. iij. 
Sacch. alb. gr. xv. 
01. menth. pip. gtt. ij. 
Misce, et fiat pulvis. 

Dose. — One, every three hours, in cramp of the stomach. 

Vogt. 

5*. Gum. arabic. 

Sacchar. aa. gr. xij. 

Pulver. nucis vomic. gr. iij. M. et fiat pulvis. 

Dose. — One of these powders, to be repeated according to cir- 
cumstances in the twenty-four hours, in diarrhoea and dysentery. 

HUFELAND. 

Embrocatio Nucis Vomica. 

Embrocation of Nux Vomica. 

B(. Tinct. nucis vomicae, £j. 

Liquor, ammon. caust. gij. M. 

To be rubbed on the paralysed limbs, and on the surface in 
cholera. See Strychnina and its preparations. 

1 The Naphtha phosphorala, .ZEther sulphuricus phosphoratus, is made by 
dissolving twenty-eight grains of phosphorus in four ounces of rectified 
ether. 

* Die specielle Therapie, ii. 133. Berl. 1821. 



OLEUM CROTONIS. 281 



OLEUM CROTONIS. 



Synonymes— Oleum Tiglii, Croton Oil. 
French. — Huile de Pignon d'lnde. 
German. — Krotonol. 

The seeds of the Croton Tiglium — a tree indigenous in the 
Molucca Isles, Ceylon, Java, &c. and which belongs to the class 
-Monoecia, order Monadelphia of i innaeus. and to the natural family 
Euphorbiacese — are characterised by their acrid drastic properties 
— which, indeed, belong to the whole family. These seeds were 
.carried by the Dutch to Europe, two centuries ago, and were ad- 
mitted into the old Pharmacopoeias, under the names Graria Tiglii, 
G. Tilli, G. Molluccae, &c. being prescribed as a drastic cathartic, 
but owing to their too violent operation, which frequently induced 
unpleasant results, they fell subsequently into entire disuse. The 
oil of croton was also introduced into Europe about the same period, 
and was occasionally used internally. It had, however, sunk into 
total neglect, when attention was recalled to it by Dr. Con well, a 
physician in the English East India Company's service at Madras, 
by whom its employment was reintroduced into Europe ; and, in 
a short time, it acquired so much repute as an active cathartic, that 
it was received into various Pharmacopoeias. 1 

Croton oil is a thickish fluid, of a honey yellow colour, has a 
disagreeable smell, and a very acrid burning taste, so that it excites 
inflammation of the tongue and fauces. It is a fixed oil, having a 
very acrid matter associated with it, which appears to have acid 
qualities, and is probably identical with the iatrophic acid. 2 In 
absolute alcohol, it is almost wholly soluble ; in common alcohol, 
only partly so ; and in ether and turpentine wholly so. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Croton oil holds a distinguished place amongst cathartics, inas- 
much as it can be given in small doses; and, in cases of great 
torpor of the intestines, its action is very certain. Even a drop 
commonly produces eight or ten fluid evacuations ; but at times, in 
unusual torpor of the canal, as many as four or five drops, and even 
more, have been given in the course often or twelve hours. Like 
most of the drastic cathartics, it occasions tormina, but these are 
less distressing than the burning sensation it commonly excites in 
the pharynx, which is least felt when the oil is given in the form 
of pill or lozenge. 

Not unfrequently, also, it causes nausea, often ending in vomiting 
in delicate persons, or where the dose has been large, but without 

1 Recherches sur les proprietes medicinales et l'emploi de l'huile du Cro- 
ton Tiglium, &c. Paris, 1824. 

2 Riecke, Die neuero Arzneimitte), u. s. w. S. 343. 



282 dunglison's new remedies. 

interfering materially with the cathartic effect. At times, it is 
formed into a soap with caustic soda — iSapo olei crotonis — which 
is given in doses of from one to three grains. This soap is- said to 
be less excitant and to occasion less pain than the pure oil, and it 
has the advantage, that the dose can be better apportioned. 

As with other cathartics, the incautious employment of the cro- 
ton oil may occasion inflammation of the intestinal canal, and 
therefore, it need scarcely be said, its use during inflammation of 
the canal is contra-indicated. It does not appear to affect any 
other secretory organs than those of the bowels, although some phy- 
sicians affirm that they have remarked an increase of the urine 
after its use. 

Like other active cathartics, it has been employed as an anthel- 
mintic, especially in cases of tape worm, by Poccinotti, and others, 
and with success. 1 

Croton oil has likewise been employed externally as a revellent 
or counter-irritant — at times to induce a cathartic effect, but in this 
respect it is uncertain. 2 Rubbed on the surface in small quantity, 
it induces inflammation of the skin, which gradually disappears of 
itself. When the friction is longer continued, pustules are caused, 
which, when they are numerous, run together or are confluent, and 
around the spot where the confluent eruption is seated, papulae or 
pimples appear over a wider extent, which are transformed into 
pustules, and are surrounded by a red base or areola. When the 
pustules are discrete, they dry up more rapidly than when they run 
together; and in the latter case they commonly forming scabs. 
Friction readily excites pustulation on the head, face, neck, chest, 
and on those parts of the extremities where the skin is thin. Where 
it is thicker, the effect is of course induced with more difficulty. 
Commonly the eruption is perceptible in twelve hours after the 
first friction, but at times not till a later period : very rarely is the 
second friction ineffectual. In the course of from three to six 
days the eruption again disappears. 

The pain usually commences in about an hour after the rubbing, 
being at first nothing more than a slight itching and burning, 
which gradually, but markedly, augments ; yet the eruption is 
never so painful as that caused by the ointment of tartarised anti- 
mony, or by the plaster of the same agent, with which it is capable 
of fulfilling the same indications. 

These frictions with croton oil are adapted for all cases in which 
local counter-irritation is required. They have been recommended 
of late by many physicians — as by Andral, 3 Elliotson, Hutchinson, 4 

1 Richter's Specielle Therapie, B. x. S. 248. Berlin, 1S28. 

2 See a case of Ileus cured in this manner, by Dr. Susewind, of Lutzerath, 
in Casper's Wochenschrift fur die gesamrate Heilkunde, Jun. 24, 1837, 
S. 404. 

3 Gazette Medicale, Janv. 1832, and Archives Generales, Aotit, 1833. 

4 London Lancet, May, 1833, and Dr. Sauer, in Medicin. Zeitung, Aug. 
10, 1836, S. 158, and Amer. Med. Intell., Nov. 1, 1837, p. 286. 



OLEUM CROTONIS. 283 

Short, Landsberg, Romberg, and others, in the following affections: 
In chronic inflammations, and such as have a tendency to exsuda- 
tion ; in chronic rheumatic and gouty diseases, in aphonia, 1 and 
chronic hoarseness, 2 phthisical affections, especially in incipient 
phthisis ; and in the neuroses — as spasmodic asthma, hoopingcough, 
paralysis, &c. 

The croton oil has likewise been used as a direct excitant. Cam- 
panelli 3 gives a case of paralysis of the upper eyelid, which was 
promptly relieved by the application of four drops of croton oil to 
the affected lid, and the eyebrow. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Internally, the dose is from one eighth to one fourth and one 
half a drop, given every three or two hours, or more frequently, if 
necessary. The dose is rareiy carried higher except in desperate 
cases, and in mental affections, for which it is peculiarly appro- 
priate. 

It may be given either in the form of emulsion or of pill. 
Hahnemann 4 and Hufeland recommended it as a substitute for 
castor oil, which is expensive in Germany ; advising, that a drop 
of the croton oil should be added to an ounce of the oil of poppies, 
and that the mixture should be called Oleum Riciid Officinale. 
This preparation is well adapted for emulsions. 

When applied externally, to excite an eruption, from four to six 
drops or even more may be rubbed in twice a day. In women and 
children, a single application maybe sufficient; but if the skin be 
thick and insensible, it will be well to rub it previously with flannel, 
or to apply first a rubefacient, especially when it is desirable to pro- 
duce the effect speedily. On the other hand, where the skin is ex- 
citable, the croton oil should be mixed with an equal portion of 
some mild fixed or volatile oil before being used. 

Emulsio Olei Crotonis. 

Emulsion of Croton Oil. 

fy. Olei crotonis, gtt. iij. 
Olei amygdal. Sss. 
Gum. acac. sjij. 
Misce sensim terendo cum 

Syrup, flor. aurant. ,|j. 
Aq. chamaem. oV. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful every two hours, until it operates — shaking 
the vial. Phoebus. 5 

1 Romberg, in Woclienschrift fur die gesammte Heilkunde, 1835. 

2 Or. Sauer, in Medic. Zeitung. Aug. 10, 1836, S. 158. 
"Annali Universali di Medicina, July, 1835. 

* Apotheker Lexicon, B. ii. Abth. 1. S. 203. 

6 Handbuch der Arzneiverordnungslelire. Th. ii. Berlin, 1836. 



284 



DUNGLISON S NEW REMEDIES. 



3<. Olei ciotonis, gtt. i — ij. 
Olei cham. simpl. git. ij. 
Terendo raisce cum 

Mucilag. gum. arabic. 
Syrup, amygdal. aa. 5ss. M. 

Dose. — A tea-spoonful every two hours — shaking the vial. 

LOCKSTAEDT. 

Plhilfe Olei Crotonis. 

Pills of Croton Oil. 

5*. Olei crotonis, gtt. iv. 

Mica? panis q. s. ut riant pilula? viij. 

Dose. —One, or two, or more. 

fy. Olei crotonis, gtt. v. 
Saponis, 

Gum. acacia?, aa. 9j. 
Misce et fiant pilulse xx. 

Dose. — One to three. Sundelin. 

5-. Olei croton. gtt. ii. 
Mica? panis 

vel 
Saponis, 5j. 
M. et divide in pilulas viij. 

Dose. — One to four. 

Haastus Olei Crotonis. 

Draught of Croton Oil. 

9<. Tinct. ol. croton. f. sjss. 
Syrup. 

Mist, acacia?, aa. f. 3'j- 
Aqua? destill. f. 5ss. Fiat haustus. 

After swallowing a little milk, this draught must be taken very 
quickly, and be washed down with the same diluent. Njmmo. 

Mistura Olei Crotonis. 

Mixture or Emulsion of Croton Oil. 

B<. Olei crotonis, gtt. ii. 
Mucilag. acac. £ij. 
Aqua?, 3j. M. 

Dose. — A fourth part, every two hours, until the desired effect is 
induced. 

Mistura Olei Crotonis Saponacea. 
Saponaceous Mixture of Croton Oil. 

&. Olei crotonis, gtt. viij. 
Potassa? pura?, gr. vj. 
Aqua? destillat. £ij. M. 

Dose. — Three to six drops. 1 

1 Ellis's Medical Formulary, 5th edit. p. 37. Philad. 183S. 



OLEUM JECINORIS ASELLI. 285 

5*. 01. crotonis, gtt. ij. 
Sacch. alb. gij. 
Gum.'arab. 3ss. 
Tinct. card. f. £ss. 
Aquas destillat. gx. M. 

Dose. — Two dessert-spoonfuls, to children ; to be repeated every 
three or four hours if necessary. 

Trochisci Olei Crotonis. 

Lozenges of Croton Oil. 

5<. Olei crotonis, gtt. ij. 
Sacch. alb. 5j. 

Mucilag. gum. acacias, q. s. ut fiant 
Trocbisci, non torrendi, No. viij. 

Dose. — One every two hours, until the desired effect is induced. 

Seiler. 1 
JSapo Olei Crotonis. 
Soap of Croton Oil. 

&. Olei crotonis, partes ij. 
Liquor, potassse, partem j, 
Triturate in the cold, and when the mixture has acquired the proper con- 
sistence, run it into moulds of pasteboard, and, in the course of a few days, 
remove it by slices. 

Dose. — Two or three grains in water, or in the form of pill. 

Caventotj. 

Pope 2 recommends a Tinctura Granorum Tiglii, or a tincture 
of the seeds, to be made of two ounces of the seeds from which the 
rinds have been carefully removed, with one ounce of alcohol. 
This is allowed to digest for six days, and is then filtered. The 
smallest dose for an adult is twenty drops. This preparation, he 
says, has the advantage of excluding the more acrid drastic matter 
contained in the epidermis and husk, whilst the kernel affords 
cathartic material enough to act powerfully and certainly. 



OLEUM JECINORIS ASELLI. 

Synonymes.— Oleum Morrhuae, O. Jecoris Aselli, Codliver Oil. 

French. — Huile de Morue, Huile de Foie de Poisson. 

German. — Stockfisch Leberthran, Berger Thran, Gichtthran, Leberthran. 

The animal fat, which appears under this name in commerce, is 
obtained from several of the fishes belonging to the genus Gadus, 

1 Hufeland's Journal, B. lix. St. 4. S. 134; und Rust's Magazin, B. xviii. 
St. 2, S. 358. 
* Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, p. i. vol. xiii. 



286 DUNGLISODl's NEW REMEDIES. 

order Malacopterygii thoracici, but especially from the codfish 
{ Gadus morrkua) ; the Torsk ( Gadvs callarias) ; the Coalfish, 
(Gadus carbonarius), and the Burbot (Gadus lota.) 

Several varieties of the oil are met with in commerce, which 
differ from each other by their brighter or darker hue, and by their 
greater or less transparency. The clearest sort is admitted into the 
shops of continental Europe, especially, under the name Oleum 
jecinoris aselli album seu depuratum ; as a remedial agent it is 
more used than the darker variety, although several physicians 
affirm, that they have found the latter more efficacious. 1 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to Riecke, 2 the oil is obtained by exposing to the sun 
the livers of the fishes above mentioned, cut in slices, and collecting 
the fixed oil that runs out. That which is first obtained resem- 
bles fine olive or poppy oil, and is called the yellow codliver oil — 
Oleum Jecinoris Aselli flavum (German. — Hellblanker Leber- 
thran.) If the livers are running gradually to putrefaction, the oil 
becomes of a chestnut brown colour — Oleum jecinoris aselli sub- 
fuscqflavurn — (German. Braunblanker Thraii) ; and, again, after 
the oil has been obtained by the above methods, some can still be 
procured by boiling the livers, which constitutes the Oleum jeci- 
noris aselli fuscum. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The properties of codliver oil are said to be different in the dif- 
ferent varieties met with in commerce. The colour varies from a 
bright yellow to a reddish brown ; and the oil is sometimes clear, 
but, at others, more or less turbid. The bright has the consistence 
of poppy oil ; the brown is thicker. The smell is weaker in the 
former; in the latter, it resembles that of old salt herrings. The 
taste of the brown is an empyreumatic bitter ; and resembles train 
oil ; is somewhat acrid, and remains for a time on the tongue ; 
that of the clearer oil is much less disagreeable. Litmus paper is 
feebly reddened by the clear ; considerably so by the brown variety. 
Both sorts are soluble in alcohol and ether. 

Codliver oil has long been used as a popular remedy in northern 
Germany, especially in Westphalia — as well as in Holland arid 
England; but it is only of comparatively late years, that it has 
attracted the attention of physicians. In England, it appears to 
have been first recommended by Percival, and in Germany by 
Schenk. 3 When administered internally, it excites a disagreeable 
taste in the mouth, and nausea. Yet patients soon become accus- 

1 See M. Tanfflier, in Gazelle Medicale de Paris, Aout 12, 1837. 

2 Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 351. 
s Hufeland's Journal, lv. 31. 



OLEUM JECINORIS ASELLI. 287 

tomed to it ; and Riecke 1 affirms that he has frequently seen child- 
ren take it without repugnance. When the nausea is once overcome, 
the oil does not oppress the stomach, except when it is embar- 
rassed, or the digestive powers are greatly enfeebled. Nor does 
it seem to destroy the appetite by continued use. Yet many per- 
sons, especially adults — less so children — according to Kopp, 
reject it immediately. It is necessary for the digestive powers to 
be energetic when it has to be given for any length of time. To 
those, whose digestive organs are very irritable, Kopp recommends 
that Bourdeaux wine should be taken after it. 

Codliver oil has no manifest effect on any of the secretions, ex- 
cept occasionally on the urinary and cutaneous depurations; and 
on the healthy organism it appears to excite no marked change. In 
strumous affections, however, its favourable influence is said to be 
striking, as well as in rachitic, rheumatic, and gouty disorders. In 
such cases, it is said, by the German writers, to excite powerfully 
the reproductive or nutriiive functions, when administered for a 
proper length of time. 2 The favourable effects are, in general, not 
rapidly exhibited ; and to produce a cure, according to Kopp, the 
remedy must be persisted in for at least four weeks, and commonly 
for some months. 

Kopp suggested, that owing to the similarity of the effects of this 
oil to those of iodine, its efficacy might be owing to its containing 
the latter, and some chemical investigations, made by him in the 
year 1836, confirmed the suggestion. 3 The quantity is extremely 
small, but — Kopp supposes— like the steel in chalybeate waters, as 
the iodine is commingled naturally with the oil, it may exert a 
much greater effect than if it were added artificially in the like 
quantity. 

As respects its administration in disease, it has been employed — 
especially in Germany — as a domestic remedy in 

1. Rheumatism, in which its reputation has been favourable. 
In the year 1835, Brefeld wrote a monograph on the codliver oil, 
in which, resting upon numerous indigenous and foreign experi- 
ments, he maintained it to be a remedy of great and specific efficacy 
in every form of chronic and actual rheumatism ; and since then 
his testimony has been corroborated by that of Schenk, Spiritus, 
Morin<r, Schutte, Wesener, Osberghaus, Giinther, Volkmann, Sut- 
tinger, Kopp, Rust, and Moll. 4 

By many, its use has likewise been advised in gouty affections; 
but Brefeld esteems it ineffectual in actual gout. 

2. Scrofula and Rickets. — In these diseases it would seem to be 
more efficacious than in rheumatism. Brefeld, indeed, asserts that 



1 Op. cit. S. 352. 

2 Riecke, Die neuetn Arzneimittel, S. 352. 

s Hufeland und Osann's Journal, 183G; Annalen der Pharmacie, xxi und 
xxii. ; mid Bulletin General de Therapeutique, No. xx. Oct. 30, 1837. 
4 Richter's Specielle Therapie, x. 468. Berlin, 1828. 



288 dunglison's new remedies. 

he has found no remedy equal to it, in cases where the osseous 
tissue is permanently affected, — as in the different shades of 
rickets, arthrocace, spina ventosa, and caries scrofulosa: next to 
these, it has been extolled in affections of the chyliferous vessels 
and internal glands, especially when they present themselves 
under the chronic form of atrophy. In affections of the external 
glands, its efficacy was less striking and rapid ; and almost null in 
scrofulous affections of the skin, ophthalmia, discharges from the 
ear, &c, unless when applied externally, in which cases, as well 
as in external glandular swellings of a scrofulous character, it was 
especially useful. The slighter forms of scrofulous eruptions dis- 
appeared, without any unpleasant sequelae, by simply smearing 
them with the oil; the more obstinate forms, by the simultaneous 
use of appropriate internal agents, of which Brefeld prefers the 
sethiops antimonialis to all others. Scrofulous inflammation of the 
eyes disappeared frequently and rapidly by simply smearing the 
eyelids with the oil. 

Kopp extols it in scrofula and rickets, both when internally and 
externally exhibited ; and in porrigo. its external application was 
found by him to be highly serviceable. 

Numerous trials with the remedy by other physicians — as by 
Schenk, Schiitte, Von dem Busch, Gumpert, Fehr, Rosch, Schmidt, 
Knod von Helmenstreit, Heineken, Miinzenthaler, Beckhaus, 
Spitta, Giinther, Roy, Gouzee, 1 Tauffiier, 2 Jungken, 3 and others, 
confirm its great efficacy in scrofulous and rachitic affections. 4 

Both Kopp and Brefeld recommend it highly in phthisis pulmo- 
nalis of strumous origin, occurring especially in youth. 

The efficacy, indeed, of the oil in scrofula suggested its admi- 
nistration in cases of — 

3. Tubercles — and, accordingly, it was exhibited in such cases, 
by Hankel, whose experiments led him to advise a further trial of 
it. Riecke 5 refers to a case of the kind confirming Hankel's obser- 
vations, which occurred to Dr. Pagenstecher, of Elberfeld; and 
Richter, of Wiesbaden, Professor Alexander, of Utrecht, and 
Haser, of Jena, p seem to have experienced equally satisfactory 
results. 

Carron du Villards 7 extols the codliver oil in opacities of the 
cornea, whether resulting from slight ulceration, or from inter- 
lamellar effusion. It is only applicable after the inflammation has 
disappeared. A drop or two of the oil is then placed on the cornea 
with a camel's hair pencil. Sometimes even the white oil is too 
stimulating: it is then necessary to dilute it with oil of sweet 

1 Bulletin Medical Beige, Janvier. 1838. p. 6. 
* Gazette Medical de Pari?, Aout 12. 1S37. 

3 Lond. Med. Gazette, April 20ib, 1S39, p. 126. 

4 Pviecke, Op. cit. S. 356. 

5 Op. cit. S. 356. 

6 Hufeland's Journal, B. lxxxvi. 1838. 

7 Bulletin General de Therapeutique, Oct. 30, 1835. 



OLEUM JEC1NORJS ASELLI. 289 

almonds : in other cases, the white oil is not sufficiently stimu- 
lating: when the brown must be used. 

4. Chronic cutaneous diseases. — In these affections, codliver 
oil has been given with advantage by Richter ; and it is suggested, 
that the greater success obtained by him than by Brefeld, may have 
been owing to his having administered the remedy in much larger 
doses. Richter's trials were numerous, and were made through a 
period of three years ; they are, therefore, highly deserving of 
attention. He says; — that the impure, yellowish brown, and 
odorous oil should be selected, as it is the most active; — that at 
least six, and never more than ten spoonfuls should be adminis- 
tered daily to adults; — that it must be continued for a long time, 
as the first traces of a favourable impression are generally some- 
what late in presenting themselves, — commonly four weeks, and, in 
very obstinate cases, later; — so that usually from six to twelve 
weeks are required for a cure : and, lastly, that the diet must be 
regulated, and every thing difficult of digestion, flatulent, fatty, 
strongly salted, or acid, be carefully avoided. In this manner he 
treats tetters, inveterate itch, and tendency to the formation of 
boils. 

Kopp's experiments agree with those of Richter, as to the internal 
use pf the oil in tetters; he esteems it to act by "improving the 
humours." He found it, also, of use, in cases of dry tetter, when 
rubbed on the part. In some troublesome affections of the skin, 
especially of the hands, conjoining the characters of impetigo, with 
erysipelatous redness and swelling, and inducing the most severe 
suffering, Dr. Marshall Hall 1 speedily succeeded in restoring the 
textures to a healthy condition by the external use of the codliver 
oil, after all other remedies had been tried fruitlessly. For rhagades 
and chaps, he says, it is a preventive, and a speedy cure; and it 
is productive of great benefit in eczema, and other diseases in- 
ducing excoriation and fissures of the skin. 

5. In cases of tumours of the mammce. in young females, Kopp 
found the oil useful, when administered for some time, conjoined 
with the application of leeches to the affected part. 

6. In the Charite, at Berlin, the oil was given with advantage in 
coxarthrocace, in doses of four ounces every morning; — the mouth 
being rinsed afterwards with peppermint tea, and a cupful of this 
tea or of coffee being drunk afterwards. 

7. Kopp also affirms, that he cured a case of chorea by it, which 
had supervened on an attack of gout. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

The dose of the codliver oil for an adult is from half a spoonful 
to three spoonfuls, two or three times a day. To children, it is 
given by tea-spoonfuls. Its unpleasant taste can scarcely be cor- 

1 Lond. Med. Gazette, Sept. 1832. 
10— f dungl 19 



290 dunglison's new remedies. 

reefed by admixture with other agents; for which reason, many 
prefer to give it in the pure state, taking afterwards some pepper- 
mint lozenges. It is also recommended to be given united with 
coffee, or with lemon juice, or in the form of emulsion. Kopp pre- 
scribes it in the pure state, advising that the mouth should be 
rinsed with water, and that some dry bread should be eaten after it. 

Mistura Olei Jecinoris Aselli. 

Mixture of Codliver Oil. 

&. 01. jecinor. asell. ^j. 
Solut. potass, carb. gij. 
01. volat. calami aromat. gtt. iij. 
Syrup, cort. aurant. 5*j. M. 

Dose. — One or two tea-spoonfuls, morning and evening, in cases 
of rickets. Fehr. 

5*. 01. jecinor. aselli, 
Syrup, cort. aurant. 
Aquae anisi, aa. §j. 
01. calam. aromat. gtt. iij. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful morning, noon, and night; in gouty swellings, 
rickets, &c. • Rosch. 

Emalsio Olei Jecinoris Aselli. 

Emulsion of Codliver Oil. 

£. 01. jecinor. asell. alb. 

Vin. hungaric. (vel malag.) aa. §iv. 
Gum. arab. 3*j. 
Fiat emulsio, cui adde 

Syrup, cort. aurant. 3J. 
Elaeosacchar. menth. pip. Jij. 1 

Dose. — Two table-spoonfuls, two or three times a day ; shaking 
the mixture. Brefeld. 

Syrnpus Olei Jecinoris Aselli. 
Syrup of Codliver Oil. 

5<. Ol. jecinor. aselli, § viij. 
Gum. arab. pulv. §*v. 
Aquae, gxij. 
Syrup, commun. 3*iv. 
Sacchar. albiss. 3*xxiv. 

Make an emulsion of the four first ingredients; dissolve the sugar at a 
moderate heat; clarify, and add 

Aq. flor. aurant. §ij. 

Duclou. 2 

1 The elceosaccharum or oleosaccharum menthec piperita is officinal in 
the pharmacopoeias of Austria. Denmark, Hanover, Oldenburg, Prussia, &c. 
It is made by triturating eight drops of the essential oil of peppermint with 
an ounce of sugar. 

2 Journal de Pharmacie, Sept. 1837. 



OLEUM SINAPIS. 291 



Linimentum Olei Jecinoris Aselli. 

Liniment of Codliver Oil. 

5<. Ol. jecinor. aselli, §ss. 
Plumbi acetat. gij. 
Vitell. ovor. (seu adipis,) £iij. M. 

For external use in cases of ulcers, fistulas, &c. 



OLEUM SINAPIS. 

Synonymes. — Oleum Ethereum seu Volatile Seminum Sinapis. Oil of 

Mustard Seed. 
French. — Huile Volatile de Moutard. 
German. — iEtheriscb.es Senful. 

This preparation has been recently recommended to the notice 
of practitioners in Germany, by Dr. Meyer, of Minden, especially, 
at whose suggestion, numerous experiments were made with it at 
the Charite, in Berlin, the favourable results of which have been 
published by Dr. Wolff. 1 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

M. Faure, in France, and M. Hesse, in Germany, found that if 
bruised mustard seed be placed in a still with cold water, much 
more essential oil is obtained than if hot water or steam had been 
employed at once. M. Hesse, indeed, advises, that the seed should 
be macerated with cold water for several hours before the distilla- 
tion is commenced. It would seem, too, that acids, alcohol, &c. 
exercise the same influence in preventing the development of the 
oil. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

The volatile oil of mustard is of a yellowish white colour. It 
exhales so strong a smell of mustard, that the attempt to test its 
odour instantaneously excites a violent pungent sensation in the 
nose, and tears in the eyes. Its acridity is so great, that its appli- 
cation to the sound skin immediately occasions a sense of burning, 
and intense redness and vesication on the parts with which it comes 
in contact. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

Mustard seed oil may be applied either externally or internally. 
1 Schmidt's Jahrbucher, 1837. 



292 dunglison's NEW remedies. 

For the first object, Dr. Meyer advises a solution in rectified spirit 
(twenty-four drops to the ounce), or in oil of almonds (five or six 
drops to the dram of oil of almonds). In Berlin, the first of these 
is used. Even this solution exhales so strongly the characteristic 
odour of the mustard, that simply smelling it induces a sense 
of pungency in the nose, as well as tears in the eyes. Owing to 
the great volatility of this oil, its properties and efficacy are soon 
lost ; and the strength of the spirituous solution becomes less and 
less, when the fluid is preserved for a long time in vessels that are 
not accurately closed, or are frequently opened for the administra- 
tion of the remedy and afterwards not carefully attended to. It is 
therefore advisable in practice, that only small quantities should be 
prescribed at a time, and that these should be kept in well closed 
vials, and in a cool place. 

The mode of external administration may be one of two — ac- 
cording to the sensibility of the skin, and the effect it may be de- 
sirable to induce. It may consist either in rubbing the liquid on a 
part of the surface, or in applying strips of linen wetted with the 
solution. The first method is advisable where the skin is delicate — 
as in the case of women and children, and in those whose healthy 
sensibility has not been diminished — as by paralytic affections. 
The fluid, when rubbed on the skin, very quickly evaporates, in 
the course of a few minutes, and excites a vivid sensation of burn- 
ing, with bright redness of the surface, which disappears in the 
course of a few hours, at the farthest. 

The augmented sensibility, produced by friction with the solu- 
tion of the oil, continues generally for a longer period ; and, conse- 
quently, if a fresh application be needed at a short interval — say in 
from four to six hours — it must be made on the neighbouring parts, 
avoiding those first implicated. It is sufficient to use the remedy 
in this manner two or three times a day. 

The application of the oil by means of strips of linen is adapted 
for skins such as those of men, which are thicker, and less sensible. 
as well as for morbid cases in which the healthy sensibility has 
been depressed. The size and shape of the strips must be deter- 
mined by circumstances. The linen is dipped in the solution, 
placed upon the prescribed portion of the skin, and suffered to dry, 
which generally happens in about eight minutes. Burning pain 
immediately succeeds the application, and is often so insupportable 
that the patients object to wait until the linen is dry, and it has to 
be removed earlier. Beside the more violent pain, produced by 
this mode of applying the oil, the redness of the skin is much 
greater, and in many cases vesication succeeds. 

If the application be made twice a day, morning and evening, 
this is sufficient for the treatment of chronic diseases ; but the same 
Jsart of the surface cannot be rubbed on the same day, on account 
of the severe pain and vesication, which would be induced. 

This method of applying the oil is considered to be especially 
proper in the case of the trunk and the extremities ; whih-t the first 



OLEUM SINAPIS. 293 

method is generally to be preferred, where it is desirable to use it 
upon the face, behind the ears or on the neck. 

The oleum sinapis is indicated, wherever a counter-irritant or 
local excitant is demanded. Riecke 1 advises it in chronic cases 
unaccompanied by fever, as well as in light febrile affections, where 
a gentle excitant may be needed ; and in such fevers as are con- 
joined with a torpid state of the system, and which require the use 
of excitants. He regards its powerfully excitant action as consti- 
tuting it a most useful article in our lists of antagonising or deriva- 
tive, as well as of excitant agents. In the first relation, Wolff 
employed it with advantage both in subinflammatory diseases, and 
in nervous affections not of an inflammatory character — as in 
subacute rheumatism of the joints, aponeuroses and muscles, and 
in chronic rheumatism of those parts, where blisters would be ser- 
viceable, and for which it may be substituted with advantage, in 
consequence of its not being attended with the inconveniences 
occasionally produced by the latter on the urinary organs. He 
employed it, likewise, in rheumatic neuralgias, otalgia, odontalgia, 
prosopalgia, and ischias, — bloodletting being prescribed, or not, ac- 
cording to circumstances; and also as a palliative agent in chronic 
neuralgia, in colic of the hysterical kind, and in gastrodynia. 

As an excitant, to arouse the vital activity in debilitated parts, 
Wolff used the solution of the oil in paralysis, in the sequelae of 
protracted rheumatism,, and in neuralgia, which was probably the 
result of exudation into the neurilema, &c. 

He gave it also internally several times with good effect, in dis- 
order of the stomach, (Verschleimung des Magens,) accompanied 
by too great a secretion of mucus, and producing complete, loss of 
appetite. Two drops of the oleum sinapis were formed into a mix- 
ture of six ounces, by the aid of gum arabic and sugar; and of this 
a table-spoonful was given every two hours. 

In cases of atonic dropsy, it has been conceived, that advantage 
might, in many cases, be derived from the internal use of this vola- 
tile oil ; as in the majority of those to whom it was given inter- 
nally, the urinary secretion was largely augmented by it. 2 Kuhn, 3 
indeed exhibited it in a case of atonic dropsy as a sequel of inter- 
mittent fever with signal benefit. 

The oleum sinapis has already been received into the Hamburg 
Pharmacopoeia. 

1 Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 341. 

2 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 343. 

3 Medicinische Zeitung, No. 38. Sep. 21, 1S36, S. 191. 



294 dunglison's new remedies. 



PHLOR1DZINA. 1 

Synonyme — Phloridzinum, Phloridzine. 
German. — Phloridzin. 

This bitter principle exists in the bark of both the trunk and the 
roots of the apple, pear, cherry, and plum tree. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The following plan is recommended by M. de Koninck: — 
The fresh bark of the root of the apple-tree is to be boiled for two 
hours with sufficient water to cover the bark : the decoction is to 
be decanted, and a second one made by the addition of more water. 
On uniting the two decoctions, and permitting them to stand for 
twenty-four hours, a deposition of phloridzine, in granular crystals, 
takes place. These are to be treated with distilled water and animal 
charcoal to purify them. An additional quantity is obtained by 
evaporating the mother waters to one-fifth. At this degree of con- 
centration, all the phloridzine is deposited. This method affords 
about one part in three hundred. Another plan yields five per 
cent. It consists in digesting the fresh root in weak alcohol, at a 
temperature of 120°, for about eight or ten hours, distilling off the 
greater part of the alcohol, and crystallising the residue. 2 

Phloridzine crystallises in silky spicula of a dead white colour 
when in masses, or in long slender prisms or tables when crystal- 
lised with care. One thousand parts of water, at a temperature 
from 32° to 71°, only dissolve about one part ; but at from 71° to 
212° water dissolves it in all proportions. It is also very soluble in 
pure alcohol at ordinary temperatures, although but slightly so in 
ether, even when boiling. It has no action on test papers. S. g. 
1.429. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

M. de Koninck found, that from ten to fourteen grains given for 
a dose, with a dram of sugar, produced the most marked effect on 
intermittent fever, where quinine had failed. In four cases re- 
ported by Dr. Van Mons, 3 of Bruxelles, the disease was arrested by 
the first sixteen grains ; other cases required sixteen grains a few 
hours before the first paroxysm; twelve grains before the second; 
six before the third; and four before the fourth. Five successful 
cases are likewise given by M. Mathysen, 4 eleve interne at the 

1 From <J>*oo?, inner bark, and §»£«, root. 

2 Journal de Pharmacie, & Amer. .Tourn. of Pharraac. vol. ii. new series, 
p. 240. See. also, M. Boullier, in Gazette Medicale de Paris, 17 Juin, 1837. 

3 Bulletin Medical Beige, Mai, 1836. 

4 Bulletin Medical Beige, Oct. 1835. 



PIPERINUM. 295 

Hospital St. Pierre, Bruxelles; yet M. Leonhard 1 is satisfied, from 
his various trials, that it does not possess any febrifuge virtue ! 

METHOD OF PRESCRIBING. 

It may be given in the form of pill or of powder, like the qui- 
nine. It was administered at the hospital at Bruxelles, in one 
case, in the way of lavement ; — twenty-four grains being given 
in three lavemens. The paroxysm returned, but was less violent. 
In two days afterwards, the same quantity was administered in 
the same manner, and the fever did not recur. 



PIPERINA. 

Synonymes. — Piperinum, Piperine. 
German. — Piperin, Pfefferstoff. 

This substance was discovered by M. Oerstadt, in the year 1819, 
in the black pepper, (Piper nigrum. 2 ) It is found, also, in the Piper 
lo?igum, and it has been presumed to be the same, or an analogous 
principle with the cubebine of the Piper cubeba. M. Oerstadt at 
first regarded it as a vegetable alkali, but M. Pelletier subsequently 
analysed it, and proved it not to be such, but to bear a consider- 
able analogy to resins, and to be of a peculiar nature. 3 

Piperine has not been much used, except in Italy: it has been 
highly extolled there in the cure of intermittents, by Meli 4 and 
many others. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Let two pounds of black pepper, bruised, be digested, at a gentle 
heat, in three pounds of alcohol, at 36° (.837). This mixture must 
afterwards be raised to ebullition, then suffered to remain at rest, 
and grow cold ; when it must be decanted, and the operation be 
repeated with fresh alcohol. The two solutions must then be 
mixed together, and two pounds of distilled water and three ounces 
of muriatic acid be added thereto. The liquor becomes turbid, and 
a precipitate, of a deep gray colour, is thrown down, which is com- 
posed, in a great measure, of fatty matter. The deposit being 
separated, crystals may be collected on the filter and sides of the 

1 Encyclographie des Sciences Medicales, Mai, 1838. 

9 Journal de Physique, No. 2, 1820, & Gazette de Sante, Mai 25, 1820. 

3 Examen chimique du Poivre, par J. Pelletier, 8vo. Paris. 

4 Annali Univers. di Medicina, xxvii. 161, & xxviii. 22. 



296 dunglison's new remedies. 

vessel. These are the piperine. On adding- water until the 
liquid is no longer rendered turbid, a fresh quantity is obtained. 

The above process, which is that of Meli, is the same as one 
described by M. Pelletier. He has likewise procured it by the 
following- method : — After having exhausted the pepper by alcohol, 
and evaporated the alcoholic tinctures, a fatty or resinous matter is 
obtained: this must be subjected to the action of boiling- water, 
which must be added again and again, until it passes off colour- 
less. By dissolving this fatty matter — thus purified by washing in 
alcohol —by the aid of heat, and leaving the solution to itself for 
some days, a multitude of crystals are obtained, which may be 
purified by solution in alcohol and ether, and by repeated crystalli- 
sation. The alcoholic mother waters, left to themselves, will 
furnish fresh crystals. This crystalline matter is piperine. 

Piperine presents itself in the form of four-sided prisms, two of 
which — parallel to each other — are evidently broader than the 
others. In the pure state, it is of a white colour, and translucent; 
it is frequently, however, coloured yellow by portions of resin 
being combined with it. It is inodorous, and of a feeble taste of 
pepper ; fuses readily by heat ; is not volatile, and is scarcely 
soluble in cold water, but somewhat more so in hot. In respect to 
its solubility in alcohol, testimony is discordant. According to 
Magendie, it dissolves very readily therein ; according to C. G. 
Gmelin, it is soluble only in small quantity in cold, but in tolerable 
proportion in hot alcohol, as well as in ether and in the volatile 
oils. 

The solutions taste acrid and peppery, and do not react on vege- 
table colours; — which shows that it is not an alkaloid, as the dis- 
coverer conceived. With acids, it forms no intimate chemical 
combinations ; acetic acid, indeed, dissolves it in considerable 
quantity, but it is in great part precipitated by water, and by eva- 
poration the whole of the acid escapes. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Piperine — as has already been remarked— has been exhibited 
chiefly by the Italian physicians for the cure of intermittent fever. 
Its employment was, doubtless, suggested by the use of pepper 
corns as a popular remedy in that disease. According to Riecke, 1 
the antiperiodic virtue of pepper is exhibited upon the healthy 
economy; a k\v pepper corns taken before the expected appear- 
ance of the menses, arrests them for several days. Of this, he him- 
self has had no experience ; but he affirms that the females, in a 
district of southern Germany, have great confidence in their 
virtues. 

Meli, 2 who treated many cases of intermittent with piperine, 

1 Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 361. 

2 Nuove Esperienze, &c, Milan. 1S23, 8vo., & Annali Universal! di Me- 
dicina, xxvii. 161, and xxviii. 22. 



PIPERINUM. 297 

considers it as the best of all febrifuges, the quinine not excepted. 
He forms twenty grains into ten pills, and gives these at intervals 
during tho apyrexia. The efficacy of the oleum acre piperis in 
the same complaint, he ascribes to the piperine it contains. 

The febrifuge virtue of piperine has been confirmed by many- 
other Italian physicians ; by Brandolini, Bertini, Gordini, Torelli, 
and others. According to Brandolini, from forty to fifty grains are 
generally required to effect a cure. Bertini gave it in three doses 
during the apyrexia, to the extent of a scruple, made into pills with 
a bitter extract : after two or three doses, the fever was generally 
arrested. Gordini affirms, that relapses occurred less frequently 
after the use of piperine than after that of the sulphate of quinine. 
On the other hand, in the hospital at Turin, Christin was dis- 
appointed in it, and such seems to have been the result of the 
trials made by Chiappa. 1 In the year 1823, he administered it in 
ten or twelve cases, but was unable to detect any great antiperiodic 
property ; not more than a fourth part of the sick experienced 
benefit, whilst, on the others, the cinchona acted like a charm. In 
general, a burning sensation was experienced in the stomach after 
taking it, as well as in the throat, with the same kind of feeling 
occasionally in the rectum, and in the whole abdomen ; and in two 
young individuals, the eyes were made red, and the eye-lids, nose, 
and lips were swollen. 

Piperine has, likewise, been employed by others besides the 
Italian physicians. Dr. Blom, of Utrecht, has given it in inter- 
mittents, but not with as much success as the quinine. According 
to him, the remedy, soon after it is taken, particularly in very im- 
pressible persons, occasions a sense of internal heat, especially in 
the epigastric region, and not unfrequently it causes perspiration, 
especially on the upper lip. Blom is, however, doubtful, whether 
these effects are ascribable to the piperine, or to a portion of the 
resin of the pepper remaining united with it. He is of opinion, 
that both in general debility, and in debility of the digestive appa- 
ratus, piperine merits a preference over the sulphate of quinine, 
both because it can be better borne by the stomach, and because it 
acts more tonically upon it. 

In inflammatory intermittents, as well as in those with gastric 
complications, the piperine is to be avoided. 

Magendie suggests that it should be given in blennorrhoea, in 
place of the cubebs. 

METHOD OP ADMINISTERING. 

PilnlcB Piperina. 
Pills of Piperine. 
*. Piperin. gr. xij. 

Extract, gentian, q. s. ut fianf pilulae xij. 
Dose. — One every hour during the apyrexia of fever. 

1 Riecke, Op. cit. S. 361. 



298 dunglison's new remedies. 

PLATINUM. 

Synonyme.— Platina. 

The Preparations of Platinum are not given here, as they are 
not used. According to Magendie, they possess analogous proper- 
ties to those of the salts of gold. See Auri Prceparata. 



PLUMBI IODIDUM. 

Synonymes.— Plumbi Ioduretum, Iodide or Induret of Lead. 
French. — Iodure de Plomb. 
German. — Bleiiodid. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

This preparation may be made by adding a solution of one hun- 
dred parts of hydriodate of potassa to a solution of seventy-five 
parts of the acetate of lead. 

The iodide is a fine yellow powder, insoluble in cold, but per- 
fectly soluble in boiling water, from which it is precipitated, on 
cooli 
acid. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The iodide of lead is not an irritant, when applied even to a 
denuded surface. 1 M. Paton* administered twelve grains of it to a 
cat of moderate size. In four hours the animal did not appear to 
experience any inconvenience ; twelve more grains were then 
given ; in twelve hours the animal became uneasy, and constantly 
refused every kind of food. It appeared to suffer in the kidneys ; 
subsequently, it was attacked with violent colic, which caused it to 
jump to great heights. Three days after taking the iodide, it died, 
suffering dreadfully. The dissection was made twelve hours after- 
wards, when no traces of irritation were perceptible. M. Paton 
examined the interior of the stomach chemically, but was unable 
to detect any of the iodide, nor could any portion of it be dis- 
covered in the faeces. He then boiled the intestines and their 
contained matters in distilled water; the liquid was filtered and 
decolourised by charcoal, but no effect was induced by the tests for 
lead. The matter remaining on the filter was digested in dilute 
nitric acid : the solution was filtered, and a precipitate obtained on 
pouring in a solution of chromate of potassa. The liquid was eva- 

1 Eager, in Dublin Journal for 1834. 

2 British Annals of Medicine, Mar. 3, 1837; and Journal de Chimie 
Medical, Jan. 1837. 



PLUMBI TANNAS. 209 

porated; the residue calcined along with what was left by the 
evaporation of the water, and the whole brought in contact with 
dilute nitric acid. Nitrous gas was disengaged, and the solution 
responded to reagents like the solutions of the salts of lead. M. 
Paton infers, that the iodide of lead introduced into the stomach is 
partly absorbed, and that it is this portion which causes death, — 
the remainder passing into the intestines, and admitting of detec- 
tion by the method described. 

When given internally, in the dose of a quarter or half a grain, 
Velpeau thought that it occasioned, in one instance, irritation in the 
alimentary canal ; but Dr. O'Shaughnessy thinks that this result 
must have been owing to idiosyncrasy, as ten grain doses can be 
borne with perfect impunity. The experiments of Dr. Cogswell 1 
show, that it is by no means an active agent. 

Owing to its not exciting cutaneous irritation — like iodine, and the 
iodide of potassium — the iodide of lead has been applied externally. 
Velpeau 2 treated three cases of enlarged glands with very gratifying 
success, although the patients had used frictions with other prepa- 
rations of iodine ineffectually. Similar good effects were observed 
by Guersent, Roots, and others. 

Unguentum Plumbi Iodidi. (rharm. Lond.) 
Ointment of Iodide of Lead. 

5<. Plumbi iodid. %']. 
Adipis, Sviij. M. 

Applied to scrofulous and other indolent swellings in the way of 
friction. 



PLUMBI TANNAS. 



Synonymes. — Tannate of Lead. 
French. — Tannate de Plomb. 
German. — Gerbstoffblei. 



Autenrieth 3 has strongly recommended the tannate of lead in 
cases of paratrimma ad decubilum, that is, of sores produced by 
lying, and its advantages have been confirmed by others. 

METHOD OP PREPARING. 

The tannate is formed by precipitating an infusion of oak bark 
by acetate of lead, according to the following formula. 

1 Essay on Iodine, p. 142. Edinb. 1837. 
1 Lugol, Essays on Iodine, &c, by O'Shaughnessy, p. 206. 
'British Annals of Medicine, June 2, 1837; and Journ. de Chitnie 
Medicale, Mars, 1837. 



300 dunglison's new remedies. 

*. Cortic. querc. gross, pulv. gj. 
Coque cum 

Aquae comraun. 3 v ii j . 
Ad colaturce 31V. adrnisce acetum plumbicum quamdiu prsecipatum 
inde oritur. Liquor filtretur per chartam bibulara. Preecipitatum in charta 
remanens ad consistentiam unguenti tenuioris exsicca. 1 

The ointment is used, spread upon lint, three times a day. 

More recently, Dr. Tott has recommended the ointment in cases 
of decubitus gcmgramosus, or sloughing sores produced by lying. 2 
In one case, in which it appeared to be inefficacious, he took two 
drams of the dried precipitate, mixed it with an ounce of ungu- 
entum rosatum, and applied this unguentum jjlumbicotannicum 
with success. 



POTASSA CHLORAS. 

Synonymes.— Kali Chloricum, Chloras Kalicus Depuratus, Alcali Vegeta- 
bile Salito-dephlogisticatum, Chloruretum Potassse Oxidatum, Haloidum 
Oxygenatum, Murias Potassse Hyperoxygenaturn seu Oxygenatum, Oxy- 
geno chloruretum Potassii. Potassa? Euchloras, Chlorate of Potassa, Chlo- 
rate of Protoxide of Potassium. 

French. — Chlorate de Potasse. 

German. — Chlorsaures Kali. 



METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Tn the chemical manufactories, the chlorate of potassa is pre- 
pared bypassing chlorine gas into a solution of carbonate of po- 
tassa. In this way, chlorate of potassa is obtained mixed with 
more or less muriate of potassa. The salt prepared in the labora- 
tories, before it is adapted for medical use, should be purified by 
recrystallisation. It is to be observed, that when the adequate 
quantity of chlorine gas is not employed in the preparation, the re- 
sulting compound is analogous to the chlorides of soda and lime, 
and in action it agrees rather with those preparations than with 
the true chlorate of potassa. This may tend to explain the dis- 
crepancy in the experience of different physicians. 

The chlorate of potassa crystallises in white leaves, having the 

1 "Take of oak bark, in coarse powder, an ounce; boil in eight ounces of 
water, until, when strained, four ounces remain: add acetate of lead as 
long as any precipitate falls: filter the liquor through bibulous paper, and 
dry the precipitate remaining on the paper to the consistence of a thin oint- 
ment." 

* Grafe und Walther's Journal der Chirurgie, B. xxiv. S. 676, Berlin, 
1836; and Gazette Medicale, Jan. 1837. 



POTASS^E CHLORAS. 301 

splendour of mother of pearl, or in four or six-sided tables, having a 
specific gravity of 1.989. It is permanent in the air, and has a 
cool, saline, disagreeable taste, similar to that of saltpetre. Six 
parts are soluble, at the ordinary temperature, in 100 parts of water. 
When exposed to heat oxygen escapes, and chloride of sodium 
remains. When beaten forcibly in a mortar, it crackles, emits 
light, and sparks. When rubbed lightly with inflammable sub- 
stances, or when struck, it inflames readily, and hence its well 
known employment in the formation of matches. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

These have not been completely tested, in the opinion of some 
at least. 1 L. W. Sachs, who has frequently administered it, is of 
opinion, that in the chlorate of potassa the direct effect of the alkali 
is rendered milder by the chloric acid, whilst the alkali modifies 
that of the acid ; in this manner, the caustic property of the alkali 
is destroyed ; whilst the liquifying or resolvent (fluidisirende) pro- 
perty is moderated, but not removed. On the other hand, by the 
union of the chloric acid with the alkali, the powerful excitant 
action on the nerves, which the former exerts, is at the same time 
markedly moderated, although certainly not destroyed ; the mode 
in which it is exerted, he thinks, is probably changed. 

By such a union, a medicine has been supposed to be formed, 
which acts chiefly on the nervous system, and which is capable of 
mitigating and probably of removing any morbid erethism therein, 
with the hyperesthesia thereby induced. 

Such is the opinion of certain therapeutists. Others imagine, 
that it is capable of purifying the mass of blood in consequence of 
the chlorine which it contains ; but a salt of chloric acid is not 
possessed of the same properties as chlorine; and, accordingly, 
when we have found occasion to administer it. we have never wit- 
nessed any of the effects ascribed to it ; nor have we seen any evi- 
dence of the modus operandi on the nervous system mentioned 
above, or of its imparting oxygen to the blood as supposed by 
some. 2 

From its excitant properties, and under the notion that it may 
act upon the blood, and through the blood on the functions of nu- 
trition as an excellent alterative, the chlorate of potassa has been 
recommended in chronic cutaneous diseases in general, as well as 
in hepatic and syphilitic affections. It has also been occasionally 
administered in cases of chronic asthenia. 

Kohler 3 employed it in several cases of tubercular phthisis, and 
although the general results of his experiments were unfavourable, 
he thinks it ought to be admitted into the number of those remedies 

1 Riecke, Die neuem Ar/neimittel, S. 300. 

2 See Stevens on the Blood, p. 296. London, 1832. 

3 Rust's Magazin, B. xlvi. 



302 dunglison's new remedies. 

that are useful in phthisis, although its stimulating action on the 
circulating and pulmonary systems cannot be denied. Its use is 
contra-indicated where the fever runs high, and where there is any 
sign of inflammation of the lungs, or tendency to haemoptysis. 

Sachs, in accordance with the views before mentioned, in regard 
to its antineuropathic properties, has advised it in cases of proso- 
palgia. He affirms, that in a great many instances it afforded 
essential relief. Chisholm appears to have been one of the earliest 
to prescribe it in neuralgia faciei ; and, after him, Herber, and sub- 
sequently, B. Schaffer, Jos. Frank, Meyer, and others, employed it 
both as a curative and palliative agent in that disease. 

Recently, it has been advised in obstinate rheumatism of the ner- 
vous kind, by Knod von Helmenstreit ; and Eyr has extolled it in 
ulceration of the mouth after violent salivation. 

Sachs administered it in the dose of from' three to six grains, 
three or four times a day, but some give it in a much larger quan- 
tity. It may be administered either in the form of powder or of 
solution. 

Solulio Potasses Chloratis. 

Solution of Chlorate of Potassa. 

Synonymes.— Solutio Muriatis Potassa^ Oxygenati, Liquor ad Ulcera Atonica. 

&. Potasses chlorat. 3j. 

Aquae destillat. £xij. M. 

To be applied to indolent ulcers, by means of lint dipped in it, 
or of a camel's hair pencil, to excite the tissues. 

Swediaur. 1 

Potas Potassa, Chloratis. 

Drink of Chlorate of Potassa. 

Synonymes. — Potus Oxygenatus. {French. — Tisane Oxygenee.) 

$t. Solut. potass, chlorat. B5ij. 
Aquae, &iv. M. 

Given internally, in cases of general asthenia. 

Dose. — One or two pints a day. Swediaur. 

Mistura Potassa Chloratis. 

Mixture of Chlorate of Potassa. 

&. Potassae chlorat. giss. 
Aquae destill. simpl. ^iv. 
Solve. 

Dose. — A spoonful every two hours. Helmenstreit. 

Eyr dissolves twenty-five grains of the chlorate of potassa in 
four ounces of distilled water, and administers a spoonful three 
times a day. 

1 P^arm, Med. Pract. Bruxelles, 1817. 2de edit. 



POTASS^E CHLORAS. 303 

5r. Potass, chlorat. 3j. 
Aqua? destillat. 31V. 
Syrup, althaea:, J;j. M. 

Dose. — A table-spoonful four times a day. Koehler. 



POTASSII BROMIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Kalium Bromatum, Bromide of Potassium. In Solution, 

Hydrobromate of Potassa, Potassas Hydrobromas, Kali Hydrobromicum. 
French. — Bromure de Potasse. * 

German.— Bromkalium, Kaliumbromid, Bromwasserstoffsaures Kali. 



METHOD OP PREPARING. 

According to Liebig, this preparation can be readily made by 
dissolving bromine in spirit of wine, and adding caustic alkali 
until the spirit begins to change colour, then evaporating and 
heating to redness. In the London Pharmacopoeia, the bromide is 
directed to be made by adding first an ounce of iron filings, and 
afterwards two ounces of bromine to a pint and a half of distilled 
water. The mixture is set aside for half an hour, and frequently 
stirred with a spatula : a gentle heat is then applied, and when a 
greenish colour is produced, two ounces and a dram of carbonate 
of potassa, dissolved in a pint and a half of water, are poured in : 
what remains is filtered and washed with two pints of boiling 
distilled water, and again filtered. The mixed solutions are then 
evaporated, that crystals may form. 

Liebig says it crystallises in four-sided shining tables; according 
to Balard, 1 commonly in tubes, and at times in long rectangular 
parallelopipedons. It has a pungent taste. By heat it crepitates, 
and melts into a red hot flux, without experiencing change. It is 
more soluble in hot than in cold water ; producing, during its solu- 
tion, evident cold, and becoming converted into hydrobromate of 
potassa. It is also soluble in alcohol, although in small quantity. 
The solution of hydrobromate of potassa dissolves no more bromine 
than pure water. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The bromide of potassium excites the same phenomena as bro- 
mine, but with less intensity. From one dram and a half to 3ij is 
needed to kill a dog. The animal appears to suffer; is restless, and 
gradually falls into a state of prostration. In smaller doses it 
appears to act powerfully on the human stomach. The bromide, 

1 Annales de Chimie. loro. xsxii. 



304 dunglison's new remedies. 

like bromine, seems first to have been applied to therapeutical pur- 
poses by Pourche. 1 Two cases of scrofulous tumours are reported 
by him to have been removed by friction with an ointment com- 
posed thereof, and a cataplasm sprinkled with an aqueous solution 
of it. In a third patient, chronic otorrhcEa and scrofulous tume- 
faction of the testicle yielded to the same agency, combined with 
the internal use of bromine. A very.large goitre was reduced two 
thirds by it. 

Pourche prescribed the bromide internally in the form of pill, 
in the dose of four to eight grains in the day. 

Magendie 2 employed the preparations of bromine in scrofula, in 
amenorrhaea, and in hypertrophy of the ventricles of the heart. 
Prieger recommended an ointment of the "Kali bromicum" in 
inveterate porrigo favosa as well as in obstinate and malignant 
tetter, and with good success ; and Dr. Williams 3 in cases of en- 
larged spleen. The last gentleman suggests, that it possesses 
"unusual, if not specific powers in the cure of diseases of the 
spleen !" It was owing to these results that the bromide was in- 
troduced into the London Pharmacopoeia of 1836. 4 Dr. Williams 
also gave it with success in a case of ascites. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Solutio Potass ii Bromidi. 

Solution of Bromide of Potassium. 

$<. Potassii bromidi, gr. xviij. 
Aquae lactucae destillat. ^iij. 
Syrup, althaeas, §j. M. 

To be given in the course of the twenty-four hours : in table- 
spoonfuls. 

Magendie. 

Unguentum Potassii Bromidi. 

Ointment of Bromide of Potassium. 

*. Adipis, 3j. 

Kalii bromat. gr. xxxvj. M. 

Half a dram to a d am to be rubbed on scrofulous swellings. 

Magendie. 
M. Pourche employs 3j of the bromide to the ounce of lard. 

*. Axung. 3j. 

Potassii bromid. gr. xxiv. 
Bromini liquid, gr. vi ad xij. M. 

Magendie. 

1 Journ de Chimie Medicale, iv. 594; see, also, Bulletin General de 
Therapeutique, No. 14, Juillet, 30, 1837. 

2 Formulaire, Ed. cit. 

8 Elements of Medicine, i. 338. 

* Pereira, Elements of Materia Medica, Pt. i. p. 2S7. Lond. 1839; and 
Brande's Diet, of Mat. Med. p. 126. Lond. 1839. 



POT ASSII CYANIDUM. 305 

POTASSII CYANIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Potassii Cyanuretum, Cyanide, or Cyanuret of Potassium. 
French. — Cyanure de Potassium. 
German. — Cyankalium. 

This preparation was proposed by MM. Robiquet and Villerme, 1 
as a substitute for the hydrocyanic acid. It is, in their opinion, far 
more certain in its effects than that preparation. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The cyanide of potassium is formed whenever potassa is cal- 
cined with an animal matter, as in the preparation of the Prussian 
blue. It is commonly prepared, after the process of Robiquet, by 
exposing- to long continued heat the ferruginous prussiate of po- 
tassa. The cyanuret of iron is completely decomposed, and that 
of the potassium remains. The residuum, after this strong calcina- 
tion, constitutes a solid, blackish mass, which consists wholly of 
the cyanide of potassium, soiled by the iron and the charcoal be- 
longing to the cyanuret of iron. The mass is dissolved in water, 
when the iron and charcoal are deposited ; whilst the cyanide of 
potassium dissolves, and is transformed into hydrocyanate of 
potassa. 

When the process has been well conducted, the solution is per- 
fectly colourless, and retains no portion of iron. M. Chevallier 2 
considers this process to be impracticable, as the cyanide decom- 
poses water on coming in contact with it. The result, therefore, 
must be hydrocyanate of potassa; and, on heating this, all the 
hydrocyanic acid escapes, and the residue is merely potassa. He 
prepares the salt by calcining the ferro-hydrocyanate of potassa, 
and then separating the cyanide from the quadricarburet of iron 
by pure alcohol, on distilling which the cyanide is obtained very 
pure. 

Pure cyanide of potassium is white and transparent; it may be 
fused in the fire without being decomposed, and keeps for an in- 
definite period, provided it be kept dry. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

MM. Robiquet and Villerme performed some experiments on 
animals in the presence of Magendie. 3 A tenth of a grain de- 
stroyed a male linnet in a minute; less than a grain killed a 
guinea pig in two or three minutes : a small drop of the hydro- 

1 Bulletins de la Societe Medieale d'Emulation, Juillet, 1823. 

2 Journ. de Chiinie Medieale, and Journal of Phila. College of Pharmacy, 
1832. 

3 Formulaire pour la Preparation &c. de plusieursNouveaux Medicamens, 
&c. 

10— g dungl 20 



306 dunglison's new remedies. 

cyanate of potassa, containing only the hundredth part of a grain 
of the cyanide in solution, caused a linnet to drop down dead in 
half a minute. Haifa dram, containing five grains of the cyanide, 
killed a dog of large size in a quarter of an hour. 

Magendie proposes, that the cyanide of potassium should be dis- 
solved in eight times its weight of distilled water, when it becomes 
transformed into hydrocyanate of potassa. To this solution, he 
gives the name medicinal hydrocyanate of potassa, and advises, 
that it should be given under the same circumstances, and in the 
same doses, as the medicinal hydrocyanic acid, (see page 3.) 
He farther suggests, that, to render it wholly independent of the 
action of the small portion of alkali contained in the cyanide, a few 
drops of some vegetable acid may be added, or it may be prescribed 
with an acid syrup. 

The dose of the cyanide is a quarter of a grain at first, gradually 
increased to a grain and more. M. Bally gave it to fifty-two indi- 
viduals labouring under different diseases ; it produced no effect on 
thirty-five; and, on the others, the result was neither constant nor 
salutary, so that he is not. inclined to place more reliance upon the 
cyanide than upon the hydrocyanic acid. 

By Dr. Lombard, 1 of Geneva, it has been applied externally, 
with success, in some cases of facial neuralgia. He uses it by fric- 
tion, in the form of watery solution, or of ointment, according to 
circumstances. The watery solution is in the strength of from one 
to four grains to the ounce of water ; and the ointment is composed 
of from two to four grains of the cyanide to an ounce of lard. The 
aqueous solution, however, is considered by Dr. Lombard to be the 
most prompt in its effects. Dr. Lombard regards the cyanide to be 
contra-indicated, where the nervous affection is complicated with 
inflammatory action. He has found it, also, a useful remedy in 
chronic rheumatism. In sciatic neuralgia, it was not successful. 
In white swelling, attended with acute pains, poultices, moistened 
with the solution, gave great relief. Dr. Lombard, indeed, affirms, 
that the soothing properties of the cyanide are superior to those of 
any remedy known. Lotions of hydrocyanic acid are not to be 
compared with it, — the acid being decomposed with facility, and 
not devoid of danger. 

MM. Trousseau and Rullier 2 also recommend the cyanide, in the 
proportion of four grains to an ounce of water, as a local applica- 
tion in various forms of neuralgia. 

M. Andral 3 employed the cyanide with complete success in a 
case of most intense cephalalgia, which, for ten months, had re- 
sisted the most powerful remedies, as bleeding, a seton in the neck, 
blisters and shsapisms. It was employed in solution, in the pro- 

1 Gazette des Hdpitaux, & Lond. Med. Gaz. Sept. 1831. 

2 Lond. Med. and Surgical Journ. Dec. 15, 1832; and Araer. Journ. of the 
Med. Sciences, May, 1833, p. 238. 

3 Gazette Medicale, Jan. 1832. 



POTASSII CYANIDUM. 307 

portion of from six to eight grains to the ounce of distilled water ; 
and compresses, wet with the solution, were applied, for eight days, 
to the forehead and temples. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Mistura Potassii Cyanidi. 

Mixture of Cyanide of Potassium or of Hydrocyanate of Potassa. 

(Pectoral Mixture, of Magendie.) 

g;. Potass, bydrocyan. med. jj. 
Aquae destillat. Oj. 
Sacchar. purif. o ]SS ' M. 

Dose. — About five drams (a table-spoonful) night and morning. 

(Pectoral Potion.) 

5«. Potass, hydrocyan. med. gtt. xv. 
Infus. hederi terrestr. ^ij. 
Syrup, althaea?, §j. M. 

Dose. — Five grammes (a tea-spoonful) every three hours. 

Magendie. 

5<. Potassii cyanid. gr. $. 
Aquae lactucae, Sjij. 
Syrup, althaeae, |j. M. 

Dose. — Five drams (a table-spoonfnl) every two hours. 

Magendie. 

Syrupus PotasscB Hydrocyanalis. 

Syrup of Hydrocyanate of Potassa. 

&. Potass, hydrocyanat. medic. 3j. 
Syrupi, U5j. 

This syrup may be added to pectoral draughts, and may be sub- 
stituted for other syrups. 

PUuIcb Potassii Cyanidi. 

Pills of Cyanide of Potassium. 

&. Potassii cyanid. 
Amyli aa. gr. iv. 
Syrup, q. s. ut fiat massa in pilulas viij dividenda. 

Dose.— A pill night and morning, in convulsions, dyspnoea, &c. 

Hospital of La Pitie'. 1 

• Ryan's Formulary, 3d edit. p. 392. Lond. 1839. 



308 dltnglison's new remedies. 



POTASSTI IODIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Kalium Iodatura, Kali Hydroiodinicum, K. Hydroiodicum, 
Hydroiodas Kalicus, Potassii Ioduretum, Iodide or Ioduret of Potassium. 
In solution — Potassse Hydriodas, Potassii Proto-hydriodas, Potassii Pro- 
toxidi Hydriodas, Hydriodate of Potassa. 

French. — Hydriodate de Potasse, Iodure de Potasse. 

German. — Iodkalium, Iodwasserstoffsaures Kali. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to Tun nermann, the iodide of potassium is best pre- 
pared in the following manner : 

One part of pure iron filings, with four parts of iodine, is put 
into a glass vessel — by many, into a glass retort — and six or eio-ht 
parts of water are poured thereon ; gentle warmth is then applied, 
and the mixture is frequently shaken until the liquid appears clear 
and almost colourless. In this way, hydriodate of protoxide of iron 
is formed, which is dissolved in the water. It is now filtered ; the 
residuum washed several times on the filter with distilled water, 
and, under the application of a moderate heat, a concentrated solu- 
tion of potassa is added, by small portions at a time, until a precipi- 
tate is no longer thrown down. In this process, the potassium 
separates the iodine from the hydriodic acid ; the oxygen of the 
former unites with the hydrogen of the latter; protoxide of iron is 
precipitated, and carbonic acid given off, — heat being required for 
its entire disengagement, to prevent the formation of a carbonate of 
protoxide of iron with excess of acid, which would be soluble in 
the water. It is then filtered, the residue washed on the filter with 
distilled water, and the liquid evaporated so as to form crystals. 

Those chemists or pharmacie?is, who are not very accurate in 
their preparations, evaporate the mother waters to dryness, satisfy- 
ing themselves, that although the saline residuum contains car- 
bonated alkali, it may answer for external use ; which is decidedly 
objectionable. To prevent the loss of the iodide, owing to its ad- 
mixture with the carbonate of potassa, in the mother waters, 
Tiinuermann finds it most advantageous to neutralize it with the 
hydriodic acid, which may be prepared in the following manner : 
Dissolve about one dram of iodine in not very strong spirit of wine, 
and pass a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen into the solution, until 
it is wholly deprived of colour. The hydrogen unites with the 
iodine, — the hydriodic acid, thus formed, remaining dissolved, 
whilst the sulphur is precipitated. The liquor is then filtered, the 
sulphur washed with a little water, and the spirit and superfluous 
sulphuretted hydrogen gas are driven off by heating it in a glass 
vessel placed in a sand bath. The remaining fluid is diluted with 
water, filtered, and a warm alkaline ley added, until litmus paper is 
only feebly reddened. By evaporation, the iodide of potassium is 



POTASSII IODIDTJM. 309 

obtained, which, by repeated solution in water, evaporation of the 
solution, and filtration, is obtained entirely pure. 1 

The process of Turner is, to take any quantity of a solution of 
caustic potassa, and to add to it gradually, at a gentle heat, iodine 
sufficient to neutralise the alkali ; then evaporating to dryness, 
calcining strongly, dissolving in water, and crystallising. 

Dr. William Gregory 2 suggested an improvement on the process 
of Turner, which has been regarded one of the simplest. 3 It con- 
sists in adding iodine to a hot solution of potassa until the fluid 
assumes a yellowish brown colour, then evaporating, and heating 
the residuum to low redness, in a platinum crucible. The mass, 
which at first consists of iodide of potassium and iodate of potassa, 
thus loses all its oxygen, and becomes converted into iodide of 
potassium. 

e%The formula of Caillot and Baup is — to take ten parts of 
iodine and fifty of distilled water ; put them into a mattrass, and 
add, in small successive portions, of pure iron filings, five parts, 
shaking the vessel each time. The liquor is then heated until it 
loses its colour, filtered, and the substance on the filter washed with 
boiling water, until the liquid is tasteless ; the liquor, and the 
various liquids used in the washings, are united, and the whole is 
heated in a sand bath. When the temperature approaches that of 
ebullition, enough of a solution of subcarbonate of potassa is added, 
to precipitate all the oxide of iron ; it is then filtered, and the sub- 
stance on the filter washed until it is completely exhausted. All 
the liquors are then united, tested by reddened litmus paper, and if 
there be any excess of base, a little hydriodic acid is added. It is 
then evaporated in a sand bath, until a slight pellicle forms ; the 
fire is now discontinued, and the salt is suffered to crystallise. 
Lastly, the crystals are washed with a little water, and then dried. 4 

The iodide of potassium crystallises in beautiful cubes. These 
are readily fused, and are volatilised at a red heat. They do not 
decompose, even when heated with access of air. They are readily 
soluble in water, and in alcohol, and the addition of the iodide 
facilitates greatly the solution of the iodine. 

It would seem, that a slight contamination of iodide of potassium 
with carbonate of potassa is exceedingly common, as it can with 
difficulty be avoided in the manufacture of the salt; but Christison 5 
affirms, that he has examined specimens, where the carbonate, with 
its accompanying water, amounted to 90 parts in the 100. " Can 
we wonder, then," he asks, " that practitioners should complain of 
the iodide of potassium, that they have given it for months, nay, 

1 Rieckc. Die neuem Arzneimitte), S. 305. Stuttgart, 1837. 

2 Etlinb. Med. and Surg. Journ., xxxvi. 369, for Oct. 1831. 
8 Cogswell, on Iodine, p. 85. 

* Jourdan's Pharmacopee Universelle, i. 6fi2. Paris, 1828; also the Lond. 
Pharmacopoeia, and Brande's Dictionary of Materia Medica, p. 317. Lond. 
1839. 

s Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journal, April, 1838. 



310 dunglison's new remedies. 

even for years, without observing any effect either on the constitu- 
tion, or on the disease for which it was administered ?" 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

As respects the action of the iodide, and its administration in 
disease, it is scarcely necessary to do more than refer to what has 
been said under the head of iodine. On the whole, its effects appear 
to accord with those of iodine ; at least, no difference is perceptible 
on the organism. It has been supposed, that it is to be preferred 
to pure iodine, where the object is to act especially on the urinary 
organs. 1 For external use, the iodide of potassium is usually pre- 
ferred to pure iodine. It is constantly given internally, and often 
in combination with the latter; the solubility of which, as was 
before remarked, is aided by it. Many of the following formulae 
contain both one and the other. 

Dr. Buchanan asserts, that he has given the iodide of potassium 
in doses of §ss, and the only precaution he observed was to make 
the patient drink freely of diluents. It was chiefly to determine 
some physiological questions that he gave it in such large doses. 
Two drams of it were taken by a young man affected with gonor- 
rhoea, and as soon as the medicine made its appearance in the 
urine, blood was drawn from the arm. On examining the blood, 
both the serum and crassamentum were found deeply impregnated 
with iodine. 2 

According to recent experiments of Magendie, 3 the iodide is one 
of the substances that promote the coagulation of the blood. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

Liquor vel Solutio Potassii Iodidi. 

Solution of Iodide of Potassium. 

(Synonymes. — Potio resolveDS ex Iodio. Solution de Coindet, Coindet's 
Solution.) 

B<. Potassii iodidi, gr. xxxvj. 
Aquae destillat. gj. Solve. 

Dose. — Same as that of the tincture of iodine. 

Coindet and Magendie. 

5<. Potassii iodidi, 3j. 

Aqua? destillat. ,§j. Solve. 

Dose. — Fifteen drops three times a day, gradually increased to 
forty-five: in cases of ovarian dropsy, — frictions with iodine oint- 
ment being used at the same time. Elliotson. 

1 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 306. See, also, Cogswell 
on Iodine, p. 96. 

2 Lond. Med. Gaz. July 2, 1836. 

3 Lec,ons sur le Sang; & translation in Lancet, for Jan. 26, 1839, p. 636. 



POTASSII IODIDUM. 311 

Liquor vel Solutio Hydriodatis Potassa Iodureta. 

Solution of Ioduretted Hydriodate of Potassa. 

&. Iodin. 9j. 

Potassii iodid. 9ij. 

Aq. destillat. ^vij. Solve. 

Dose. — Six drops early in the morning, and in the middle of the 
day, in a gkss of sugared water. In tetter, scirrhus, &c. 

Lugol. 

Lugol has a solution of three strengths for internal use. 

I. II. III. 

5<. Iodin. gr. f. gr. i. gr. li. 

Potass, iodid. gr. iss. gr. ii. gr. iiss. 

Aq. destillat. §viij. Iviij. Iviij. 

Dose. — Two-thirds, daily, at first ; afterwards, the whole. 

Lugol recommends this threefold solution in the same cases as 
his threefold solution of iodine ; the first being continued from 
fourteen days to three weeks ; the second, from the fourth or fifth 
week of the treatment to its termination ; the third, the strongest, 
he did not often use. As Riecke has observed, it would be better 
to have in the hospitals but one solution, which might be prescribed 
in varied doses. 

Liquor Potassii Iodidi Compositus. — (Lond. Pharmacopoeia.) 

Compound Solution of Iodide of Potassium. 

£. Iodin. gr. v. 

Potass, iodid. gr. x. 
Aquae destillat. §xx. M. 

Dose. — f. 3ij to f. 3vj. 

Tinctura lodinii Composite/,. — (Lond. Pharmacopoeia.) 

Compound Tincture of Iodine. 

*. Iodin. §j. 

Potass, iodid. ,$ij. 
Sp. rectif. Oij. M. 

Dose. — Ten minims. 

Mistura Hydriodatis Potassa Iodureta. 

Mixture of Ioduretted Hydriodate of Potassa. 

&. Iodin. gr. ss. 

Potass, iodid. ^ss. 
Syrup, papav. 3ss. 
Aq. destillat. ffiss. 

Dose. — Two table-spoonfuls three times a day ; in complication 
of syphilis with scrofula. Tyrrel. 

5«. Iodin. gr. iss. 

Potassii iodid. gr. iij. 
Solve in 

Aqua? menth. pip. 3iv. 



312 dunglison's new remedies. 

Dose. — A spoonful two or three times a day. To children, a 
tea-spoonful. In cases of cancrum oris ; also, in dropsy, in gleet, 
and leucorrhoea. On renewing the prescription, the dose of the 
iodine may be increased one half, and of the iodide one grain, each 
time. Coster and Friedrich. 

Mistura Potassii lodidi. 
Mixture of Iodide of Potassium. 

fy. Potass, iodid. £iv. 

Aquae lactucse destill. §viij. 

menth. pip. ^ij. 

Syrup, altheeae, ^j. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful morning and evening, in a little water, in- 
creasing the dose to two spoonfuls. In cases of hypertrophy of the 
ventricles of the heart. Magendie. 

£. Potass, iodid. giv. 

Aq- destill. lactuc. ^viij. 

flor. naphth. ^ij. 

Tinct. digit. £j. ad ^ij. 
Syr. althaea?, |iss. M. 

Dose. — Morning and evening, a spoonful, in a little water. In 
hypertrophy of the ventricles of the heart, with quickening of the 
heart's action. Magendie. 

It. Lign. quassias. 

Rad. gentian, aa. 3j. 

Aquee fervent. §xvj. 
Macera per horam et colse. 
Liquor, colat. add. 

Potass, iodid. gr. xxxvj. 

Potassae carbonat. ^ij. M. 

Dose. — A table-spoonful three times a day, in a glass of water. 

CUMMING. 

Pilulce Potassii lodidi. 

Pills of Iodide of Potassium. 

5<. Potass, iodid. gr. xv. 
Aq. destillat. q. s. 
Pulv. spong. ust. 
Ext. dulcamar. aa. 3ij. 
Pulv. rad. glycyrr. q. s. 
Fiant pilulae clxxx. 

Dose. — Six, two or three times a day, in scrofula, goitre, &c. 

Vogt. 

Ungaentum Iodinii Compositum. — (Pharm. Lond.) 

Compound Ointment of Iodine. — Ioduretted Ointment. 

£. Iodin. 3ss. 

Potass, iodid. 3j. 
Spirit, rectif. f. gj. 
Adipis. gij. 
Rub the iodine and iodide with the spirit; and mix with the lard. 



POTASSII IODIDUM. 313 

Unguentum Potassii Iodidi. 

Ointment of Iodide of Potassium. 

&. Potass, iodid. gss; 
Adipis, §iss. M. 

Half a dram at first, and, subsequently, a whole dram to be 
rubbed in. In goitre, scrofulous glandular affections, &c. 

Magendie. 

This ointment is generally too weak, unless combined with the 
internal use of iodine in some form. 

$<. Potass, iodid. 9j. 
Adipis. ,§ss. M. 

The wounded parts to be smeared with it two or three times a 
day: in moist tetter — serpigo. Between the applications, to be 
dressed with dry lint. Tuennermann. 

In dry tetter, the ointment applied is formed of 3j to 3iss of the 
iodide to gj of lard. 

Unguentum Kali Hydroiodici. (Pharmacop. Borussic.) 

Ointment of Hydriodic Kali. 

5<. Potass, iodid. gj. 
Magnes. carb. gr. vj. 
Aq. destillat. guttas nonnullas 
M. terendo cum, 

Ung. rosat. 3j. M. 

Or, 

5<. Potass, iodid. 

Sodse carbon, depur. sice. aa. gss. 
Ung. rosat. giv ad ^vj. M. 

A piece of the size of a small bean, to be rubbed in, morning and 
evening. In chronic enlargement of the testis. Walther. 

5<. Potass, iodid. £ss. 
Ext. opii. 9ss. 
Cerat. gj. M. 

As a dressing in malignant cancerous ulcers. 

Unguentum Potassii Iodidi Ioduretum. 

Ointment of Iodu retted Iodide of Potassium. 

B«. Iodin: gr. xij. 

Poiass. iodid. 9iv. 
Adipis, gij. M. 

In scrofulous ophthalmia, ulcers, &c. Lugol. 

*. Iodin. gr. xv. 
Potass, iodid. .^j. 
Tinct. opii. gij. 
Adipis, sij. M. 

In painful scrofulous ulcers, white swellings, &c. Lugol. 



314 dunglison's new remedies. 

Emplastrum Potassii Iodidi loduretum. 
Plaster of Ioduretted Iodide of Potassium. 

B<. Iodin. 

Potass, iodid. aa. 9ss. ad 9j. 

Emplaslr. hydrarg. 
Seu Saponis. 3 ij. 

Applied in syphilitic and gouty swellings of the bones. 

Ebers. 

Lotio Potasses Hydriodatis Iodureta. 

Lotion of Ioduretted Hydriodate of Potassa. 

£. Iodin. gr. i. ad ij. 

Potassii iodid. gr. ij. ad iv. 
Solve in 

Aquae destillat. §viij. 

This solution was commonly used by Lugol externally, to be 
injected under the eyelids in strumous ophthalmia, fistulas, &c. 

Lugol. 

£. Iodin. £ss. 

Potassii iodidi. §j. 
Solve in 

Aq. destillat. £vj. 

This "rubefacient solution of iodine," may be used two or three 
times a week, when the last prescription loses its effect, or when it 
is desirous to stimulate more actively. It is also added to baths — 
three or four ounces to an ordinary bath — as well as to poultices, 
being mixed with an ordinary cataplasm. Lugol. 

if. Iodin. ^j. 

Potass, iodid. §ij. 
Solve in 

Aquae destillat. §ij. 

This " caustic iodine solution" has to be used when the last loses 
its efficacy. It occasions a crust on the parts. Lugol employs it 
chiefly, when the skin on the edges of the ulcers is greatly hyper- 
trophied, red, and fungous, as well as in phagedenic or spreading 
tetters. It may be applied two or three times a week, or daily, 
should the case require it. Lugol. 

Collyrium Potasses, Hydriodatis loduretum. 

Collyrium of Ioduretted Hydriodate of Potassium. 

it. Iodin. gr. ss. ad i. 
Potassii iodid. 9ss. 
Solve in 

Aq. rosar. §iij. M. 

To be applied four times a day, in cases of scrofulous ophthalmia, 
with ulceration of the conjunctiva and cornea. Magendie. 



POTASSII IODO-HYDRARGYRAS. 315 



POTASSII IODO-HYDRARGYRAS. 

Synonymes. — Iodo-Hydrargyrate of Potassium. Iodhydrargyrate of Ioduret 
of Potassium. 

Dr. A. Charming, 1 who has highly extolled this preparation in 
various diseases, affirms, that this, with other new salts, was dis- 
covered by Bonsdorf, of the University of Finland, in 1826; and it 
is a fact well known to the chemist, that iodine, chlorine, &c. enter 
into combinations so as to form both acids and bases. 

By experiment, Dr. Channing. ascertained, that a solution of 
eight grains of the pure iodide of potassium in ten or fifteen minims 
of water, would combine with a fraction less than eleven grains of 
the deuto-iodide of mercury, maintaining the combination in solu- 
tion, when diluted with water or alcohol to any extent. If n.ore than 
eleven grains of the deuto-iodide be added, although a small excess 
is dissolved in the concentrated solution, on diluting with water, it 
is promptly precipitated. It would appear, therefore, as Dr. Chan- 
ning has remarked, that in preparing this salt for administration, 
the labour of crystallising it, in order to obtain a solution of a de- 
finite strength, is wholly unnecessary; inasmuch as a solution, 
combining a fraction more than eight grains of the iodide of potas- 
sium with eleven grains of the iodide of mercury, may be used as 
containing twenty grains of the iodo-hydrargyrate of potassium. 

If it be desirable to obtain the preparation in a crystallised form, 
it is important, that the definite proportions of the two iodides be 
observed, and particularly that there be no excess of the iodide of 
mercury ; for the saturated solution of eight grains of the iodide of 
potassium will dissolve, and enter into combination with more than 
thirteen grains of the iodide of mercury, forming similar crystals 
soluble in alcohol, but in water precipitating more than two grains 
of the iodide of mercury. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

These are similar to those of the iodides of mercury, but, ac- 
cording to Dr. Charming, in a less degree. The iodo-hydrargyrate 
is not, however, much employed, experience seeming to have 
shown, that it possesses no essential, if, indeed, any advantages 
over those preparations. Puche 2 has recently recommended it as 
not being so subject to produce salivation, or pains in the bones, as 
the other combinations of mercury and iodine. 

1 American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Feb. 1834, p. 388. 

2 Journal des Connaissances des Medicales, Oct. et Nov. 1838, and Jan- 
vier, 1839, and Annales de Chimie, Oct. 1838. 



316 dunglison's new remedies. 

method of administering. 

Mistura Potassii Iodo-Hydrargyratis. 

Mixture of Iodo-Hydrargyrate of Potassium. 

?<. Hydrarg. deuto-iodid. gr. iv. 
Potassii iodid. £)j. 
Aquae destillat. 3J. M. 

Dose. — Five drops three times a day. Channing. 

Tinctura Potassii Iodo-Hydrargyratis. 

Tincture of Iodo-Hydrargyrate of Potassium. 

&. Potass, iodo-hydrarg. gr. j. 

Spiritus vini tenuioris 3J. M. 

Dose. — Ten drops three times a day. Channing. 

Solutio lod-Hydrargyratis lodureti Potassii. 

Solution of Iod-Hydrargyrate of Ioduret of Potassium. 

£. Hydrarg. biniodid. gr. viij. 
Potassii ioduret. gr. viij. 
Aquae destillat. 5*viij. 

Dose. — f. 3ij to f. gij in twenty-four hours. Puche. 

Pilulce, lod-Hydrargyratis lodureti Potassii. 

Pills of Iod-Hydrargyrate of Ioduret of Potassium. 

£. Hydrarg. biniodid. gr. viij. 
Potassii ioduret. gr. viij. 
Sacchar. lact. gr. lxiv. 
Aquae gum. q. s. ut fiant pilulae xxxij. 

Dose. — One to eight, daily. Puche. 



QUININA. 

Synonymes.— Chininum, Chinium, Quininum, Quinium, Quinia, Kininum, 

Quina, Sal Essentiale Cortieis Peruviani. 
French.— Quinine, Kinine". 
German. — Chinin. 

(iuinine is, doubtless, a most important gift from modern analy- 
tical chemistry to medicine. Not many years have elapsed since 
the discovery of this substance, and yet, by general consent, it is 
now regarded as one of the most valuable remedies in the cata- 
logues of the materia medica. The honour of the discovery — which 
had been facilitated by the investigations of other chemists, as to 
the composition of the cinchona barks — belongs to Pelletier and 



QUININA. 317 

Caventou, (1820 -; 1 ) and so rapidly and extensively was its efficacy 
promulgated, that in the year 1826, in two laboratories in Paris for 
the preparation of quinine, fifty-nine thousand ounces of the sul- 
phate — the form best known, and most frequently prescribed — 
were prepared. For this discovery, the Royal Academy of Sciences 
of Paris awarded MM. Pelletier and Caventou the Monthyon prize 
of ten thousand francs. 

Quinine is obtained from the yellow bark by a similar process to 
the one described for the separation of the cinchonine. 2 In the 
pure state, it is of a white colour, and appears commonly in the 
form of powder ; it crystallises, however, in silky, shining, tufted 
needles. In both cases, it contains from three to four per cent, of 
water., By a gentle heat, this escapes, and the quinine melts into a 
transparent fluid, which, on cooling, is translucent, and similar to a 
resin. When melted in vacuo, it has a crystalline appearance. In 
a strong heat, it is decomposed. It has a very bitter taste ; and is 
soluble in two hundred parls of boiling water; a portion being 
precipitated on cooling. It requires a much larger proportion of 
cold water to dissolve it. In alcohol, it is far more soluble than in 
water. It is, likewise, soluble in ether, and somewhat so in oils. 
It exhibits an alkaline reaction, — restoring the colour of reddened 
litmus paper, and neutralising the acids. 

The observations of Piorry and Lavollee 3 and of Q,uevenne 4 
show, that the quinine, as well as its sulphate, passes into the urine 
of patients Who use it in any considerable quantity. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Of the effects of quinine we shall speak at some length, under 
the head of sulphate of quinine, with which it seems to accord 
entirely in medicinal agency. Several physicians, who have ex- 
perimented in regard to the efficacy of pure quinine and its salts, 
have found the first in no respect inferior to the last. Such was 
the experience of Niewenhuis and Elliotson, the latter of whom ex- 
hibited the quinine in large doses — as much as five grains every 
four hours. A French physician, Blegnie, 5 even gives the prefer- 
ence to the pure quinine— because- it possesses, he thinks, equal 
efficacy, is cheaper, easier taken, and better borne than the sul- 
phate. He advises, that after each dose an acidulous drink should 
be taken, to render its solution in the stomach more rapid. Wutzer 6 



1 Annales de Chimie et de Physique, xv. 289 & 337. 

2 See page 116. 

3 Gazette Medicale, 1836, p. 73. 

* L'K.xperience, Juillet, 1S38. 

5 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimitiel, S. 1J8. See, also, Bally, in Ma- 
gendie's Journal de Physiologie, ii. 236. 

• Isis, p. 441, 1829. 



31S dunglison's new remedies. 

and Harles 1 have also recommended the more frequent use of pure 
quinine. 

It may be given either in the form of powder or pill, or in alco- 
holic solution. 

Tinctura Quinince. 

Tincture of Quinine. 

&. Quinin. 9j. 
Solve in alcohol, ^ss. 

Dose. — Twenty to forty drops every two hours. Wutzer. 



QUININE ACETAS. 

Synonymes. — Chiniura Aceticum, Acetas Chinii, Acetas Chinini, Acetas 
Chinicus, A. Quinias, A. Quinae, A. Quinini, A. Quinii, A. Kinini, Ace- 
tate of Quinine. 

French. — Acetate de Quinine. 

German. — Essigsaures Chinin. 

This preparation has only recently been introduced into practice, 
but it is not much employed. 

It is prepared by saturating quinine with concentrated acetic 
acid diluted with water, and evaporating the neutral solution, by 
gentle heat, to crystallisation. 

It appears in the form of very delicate, needle-shaped, snow- 
white, satiny, and shining crystals ; tastes very bitter ; and is with 
difficulty soluble in cold water, but readily so in hot. 

Wutzer and Sundelin 2 assert, that it acts like the other salts of 
quinine, but merits no preference. 



QUININE CITRAS. 



Synonymes. — Quinini Citras, Quiniffi vel Quinse vel Quinii, vel Chinini, 
vel Kinini Citras, Citras Chinicus, Citrate of Quinine. 



French. — Citrate de Quinine 
German. — Zitronsaures Chinin. 



MODE OF PREPARING. 



This preparation is formed, like the acetate of quinine, from an 
aqueous solution of citric acid and pure quinine, or by the decom- 

1 Heidelberg klinisch. Annalen, B. v. H. 4, S. 573. 

2 Isis, p. 441, 1S29: also, Heidelb. klinisch. Anna]. B. v. H. 4, S. 575. 



QUINllOE FERROCYANAS. 319 

position of a hot solution of sulphate of quinine, by means of an 
acid citrate of soda. 1 

It forms needle-shaped prisms, of a white colour, which are by 
no means readily soluble in water. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The acetate and the citrate of quinine have been esteemed and are 
adapted for those excitable persons with whom the sulphate does 
not seem to agree. The citrate has been prescribed by many 
Italian physicians, and found to be very efficacious. 2 Magendie 
considers it, when it contains an excess of acid, advisable for those 
cases, where the union of a tonic with an antiseptic property is in- 
dicated. He considers, that the following syrup may be substituted, 
in certain cases, for the syrwpus antiscorbuticus? 

Syrupus Quinines Citratis. 

Syrup of Citrate of Quinine. 

&. Syrup, sacchar. clarif. Ibj. 

Q,uinin. acetat. acid. gr. xxxvj. M. 

Dose. — Two spoonfuls in the twenty-four hours. 



QUININiE FERROCYANAS. 



Synonymes. — Chinium Ferrocyanogeriatum, Ferrocyanas Chinii, &c. 
French. — Ferrocyanure de Quinine. 
German. — Eisenblausaures Chinin. 



METHOD OF PREPARING. 

This is obtained by the decomposition of sulphate of quinine by 



1 Guleani, in Annali Universali di Medicina, Luglio, 1832, and Heidelb. 
Klinisch. Annal. B. x. H. i. S. 34. Heidelb. 1834. 

2 Beraudi, in Bulletin General de Therapeutique, Nov. 1838. 

3 This syrup is directed by the Codex Medicamentarius of Paris to be 

f>repared in the following manner. Take of the fresh leaves of the coch- 
earia, water trefoil, cress, horseradish, and bittei oranges cut, of each one 
pound ; cinnamon, an ounce and a half, white wine, four pints. Macerate 
for two days in a tin cucurbit, covered with a well luted capital: Distil, in 
a sandbath, a pint of fluid ; to which add two pounds of white sugar, and 
make into a syrup. Pass through a cloth, without straining, what remains in 
the cucurbit ; let the liquor rest, decant and boil to the consistence of syrup, 
with two pounds of white sugar. When cold, clarify and mix with the other. 



320 dunglison's new remedies. 

the impure salt is treated with warm spirit of wine, and the clear 
solution is evaporated. 1 

It forms needle-shaped, confused crystals, of a greenish yellow 
colour, and very bitter taste, recalling that of the hydrocyanic acid. 
It dissolves readily in spirit of wine, not so in water; and is de- 
composed by hot water. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY 

In this combination, the antifebrile properties of the quinine are 
said to be even superior to those of the other preparations ; yet the 
remedy has not got into much use. It has been employed mainly 
by a few of the French practitioners. Cerioli, 2 an Italian physi- 
cian speaks in high terms of its efficacy in periodical diseases, even 
where the sulphate has failed. He gave it in the dose of from two 
to eight grains, in the day ; and Gouzee 3 gives the history of three 
cases completely cured by the administration of a single grain, 
half an hour before the paroxysm. 



aUININiE MURIAS. 

Synonymes. — Chinium Muriaticura, Ch. Salitum seu Hydrochloricum, 

Hydrochloras Chinii, H. Chinicus. 
French. — Muriate de Quinine. 
German. — Salzsaures Chinin. 

Perhaps, next to the sulphate of quinine, this salt has most fre- 
quently been employed in practice. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

It is obtained by dissolving pure quinine in dilute muriatic 
acid, or by the decomposition of the sulphate of quinine dissolved 
in warm water by means of a solution of muriate of baryta, which 
is added so long as a white precipitate is thrown down ; the hot 
mixture is then filtered ; the precipitate washed, and the clear fluid 
evaporated, by a gentle heat, to crystallisation, so long as crystals 
shoot on cooling ; these are collected, washed in cold water, and 
purified by repeated crystallisation. 

It forms fine, needle-shaped, white, silky crystals, of a mother of 

1 See Bertozzi's Method, in Philad. Journ. of Pharmacy, vol. 2, new 
series, p. 82. Philad. 1837. 

* Annali Universali di Medicina, Luglio, 1832, and Archives Generates de 
Medecine, Dec. 1832. 

8 Observateur Medicale Beige, Jan. 1834. 



aUININiE PHOSPHAS. 321 

pearl lustre ; does not dissolve readily in water, but more so than 
the sulphate. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

In this respect, the muriate agrees with the sulphate of quinine, 
and in those of weak digestive powers is better borne. Spielman 1 
asserts, that it is a more speedy and effectual remedy for intermit- 
tent fever than the sulphate, and it is more soluble. It is, however, 
more expensive. The dose is generally considered to be the same 
as that of the sulphate. It is better given in solution than in 
powder. Spielman rates the dose at from half a grain to a grain. 



QUININE NITRAS. 

Synonymes. — Chinium Nitricurn, Nitras Chinii, &c. Nitrate of Quinine. 
French. — Nitrate de Quinine. 
German. — Salpetersaures Chinin. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

This salt is obtained, like the muriate, by the addition of nitric 
acid to quinine ; or by the decomposition of nitrate of baryta by 
sulphate of quinine. 

It is, at first, a fluid oil-like mass, which gradually becomes solid. 
In union with water, it forms crystals. It dissolves with difficulty 
in water, but readily in alcohol. 



QUININiE PHOSPHAS. 

Synonymes.— Chiniura Phosphoricum, Phosphas Chinii, Ph. Chinini, Phos- 
phate of Quinine. 
French. — Phosphate de Quinine. 
German. — Phosphorsaures Chinin. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

In the mode of preparation it accords with the preceding forms ; 

1 Allgemein. medicinisch. Zeitung, and Journal des Connais. Medic. 
F6vrier, 1836 ; see, also, Prof. Dierbach, in Heidelb. klinisch. Annal. B. x. 
H. i. S. 33. Heidelb. 1834. 

ll_a dungl 21 



322 dunglison's new remedies. 

dilute phosphoric acid being- added to quinine, or phosphate of ba- 
ryta, to the sulphate of quinine. 1 

It appears in the form of needle-shaped prisms, of a mother of 
pearl lustre, which are, like the muriate of quinine, dissolved 
readily in water, and spirit of wine. Harles, 2 however, affirms, 
that in the neutral condition it is soluble, with difficulty, in water. 

The phosphate is regarded by some to stand next to the sulphate 
in medicinal efficacy. 



QUININiE SULPHAS. 

Synonymes. — Chinium Sulphuricum, Disulphas Quinse, Sulphas Chinii, 

Sulphas Quinicus, Sulphate of Quinine. 
French. — Sulfate He Quinine. 
German. — Schwefelsaures Chinin, Chininsulphat. 

This preparation of quinine is by far the most frequently admi- 
nistered. It is in fine, silky, flexible needles, and, at times, in rect- 
angular columns. Its taste is extremely bitter, and resembles that 
of yellow bark. Exposed to a moderate heat, it loses its crystalline 
form, in consequence of the escape of its water of crystallisation. 
It is only slightly soluble in cold water, requiring 470 parts of 
water at the ordinary temperature, and 30 parts of boiling water 
for its solution. In alcohol, it is very soluble, but only slightly so 
in ether. With sulphuric acid, it forms a snpersulphate, which is 
much more soluble in water than the neutral salt, and hence we 
usually add a few drops of dilute sulphuric acid to our mixtures of 
the sulphate of quinine. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

This salt is generally prepared on a large scale in the chemical 
laboratories of France ; whence we obtain it. A formula has been 
admitted, however, into the Pharmacopoeia of the United States, 
which is taken from the process of M. Henry, junr., 3 for which he 
received a prize from the Academie Royale des Sciences, of Paris. 
It is as follows — Take of yellow bark, in powder, a pound ; lime, 
in powder, four ounces; sulphuric acid, alcohol, animal charcoal, 
distilled water, each a sufficient quantity. Boil the bark for half 
an hour with eight pints of the distilled water, acidulated with a 

1 Winkler, in Buchner's Repert. and Philad. Journ. of Pharmacy, new 
series, vol. 2. p. 12. Philad. 1837. 

2 Heidelb. klinisch. Annal. B. x. H. i. S. 36. Heidelb. 1834; and Journal 
de Chimie Medicale, 1837. 

3 Journal de Pharmacie, vii. 296. Juiller, 1821 



Q.UININJE SULPHAS. 323 

fluid ounce of the sulphuric acid. Strain the decoction through 
linen ; then boil the residue with the same quantity of acidulated 
water, and filter as before. Mix the filtered liquors, and gradually 
add the lime, stirring constantly. Wash the precipitate with dis- 
tilled water, and having dried it, digest it in alcohol with a moderate 
heat. Pour oft' the tincture, and repeat the digestion several times, 
till the alcohol is no longer rendered bitter. Mix the tinctures, and 
distil over the alcohol, till a brown viscid liquid remains in the 
retort. Upon this substance, removed from the retort, pour as 
much sulphuric acid, largely diluted with water, as may be suffi- 
cient for its perfect saturation. Then add the animal charcoal, 
and having evaporated the liquor sufficiently, filter it while hot, 
and set it aside to crystallise. 1 

It results from the calculations of Pelletier and Caventou, that 
from a quintal of cinchona, two pounds, one dram and thirty 
grains of sulphate of quinine may be obtained, which makes two 
drams, sixty-six grains and a sixth per pound, or thirteen grains 
and two sixths per ounce; and as the sulphate of quinine is com- 
posed of nine parts and nine tenths of sulphuric acid, to ninety and 
a tenth of quinine, it follows, that if the dose of cinchona in sub- 
stance be two drams, we should administer to the patient three 
grains and nine thirty secondths of a grain of the sulphate of qui- 
nine ; not taking into account a small quantity of sulphate of cin- 
chonine, which may be mixed with it. Four grains of the salt are, 
consequently, more than an equivalent for the dose of the cinchona 
often prescribed in substance. Those practitioners, therefore, who 
prescribe thirty-six or seventy-two grains of the sulphate, give the 
representative of about twenty-seven drams of cinchona' in the 
former case, and of fifty-four in the latter. 2 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The effects of the preparations of quinine on the healthy organism, 
have not been much investigated. According to Caventou, they 
produce a general excitement, similar to that caused by coffee, and 
Wittmann affirms, that the sulphate induces an excitement similar 
to that of a paroxysm of fever. Hirschel, 3 too, asserts, that in a 
child, four years of age, to whom the sulphate was given in a case 
of intermittent, a general chilliness of some minutes' duration super- 
vened immediately on the taking of the remedy, succeeded, in the 
course of half an hour, by general heat, and this again by a gentle' 
perspiration, in all respects resembling a mild attack of fever. 

The excitant action of the salts of quinine formed by the vege- 
table acids is said to be less striking. 

The sulphate of quinim, in large doses, appears, in some cases, to 

1 Wood & Bache ; s Dispensatory, Art. Qu'nia? Sulphas. 
J Jounlan's Pharmacopee Universelle, ii. 375. Paris, 1828. 
3 Hufeland's Journal, B. lxi. St. 6. S. 140. 



324 DUNGLISOIV'S NEW REMEDIES. 

possess narcotic properties, yet it cannot be classed amongst poisons, 
as it has been given to healthy individuals in very large doses, 
without any unpleasant effects. Bally, 1 for instance, gave it to the 
extent of 110 grains in the day without any inconvenience. 

Dr. Thomas Fearn, 2 who administered it largely, regards it to 
be more narcotic than sedative, — usually, he thinks, stimulating in 
small doses, but in large doses the stimulant effects not being ob- 
vious, but rather the reverse. 

When Mr. Scott, 3 a medical gentleman and a martyr to dys- 
pepsia, took the quinine in very large doses, under the idea that 
his malady was intermittent neuralgia, he found several singular 
phenomena induced thereby. He was directed to commence with 
two grains three times a day, until he arrived at twenty grains for 
a dose, that is, a dram a day. Until the doses were increased to 
fourteen or sixteen grains, he did not experience any peculiar 
effects, but he now began to feel heat of skin, dryness of mouth and 
fauces, and obstinate constipation. He likewise lost the power of 
naming substantives; was obliged for a long while to consider 
what familiar things were called, and was unable to cast up a line 
of six or eight figures correctly. His perceptions of quantity were 
likewise impaired, so that in prescriptions he wrote ounces for 
drams, drams for grains, &c. &c. He still, however, persevered, 
with the quinine until he took 9j four times a day, but he was una- 
ble to continue these excessive doses long, the untoward symptoms 
augmenting, so that he was often unable to stand, and fell several 
times in the streets. 

In impressible individuals, the sulphate and the muriate not un- 
frequently induce a sense of anxiety, restlessness, vertigo, confusion, 
depravation of vision, tinnitus aurium, and, in many cases, tran- 
sient deafness, all which symptoms appear to be of a neuropathic 
character, and, it has been affirmed, occur more frequently in 
females, especially in those who are pregnant or suckling — and in 
persons of slender and delicate conformation. 4 In certain cases, 
the quinine and its salts seem to have caused ptyalism — the saliva 
being inodorous, and the teeth firm ; and when calomel has been 
given along with it, it has been conceived, that ptyalism has ensued 
sooner than it otherwise might have done. 

The most striking agency of quinine and its salts, is in cases of 
periodical diseases of all kinds ; and especially in intermittent 
fever : they have now, indeed, almost wholly taken the place of the 
cinchona, over which they possess many points of preference. In 
the first place, their bulk is much loss; they therefore do not op- 
press the stomach so much, whilst the impression of the cinchona 



1 Revue Medicale, v. 244. Juillet, 1821. 

2 Transylvania Journal of Medicine, Oct., Nov., and Dec. 1836. p. 708, and 
Amer. Med. Intell., June 15, 1837, p. 109. 

3 Lond. Med. and Physical Journal, March, 1833. 

4 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 120. 



QUININE SULPHAS. 325 

on that organ not unfrequently interferes with its antipyretic pro- 
perties. In malignant fevers, too, it is often impossible to introduce 
the requisite quantity of cinchona into the organism, to prevent the 
succeeding paroxysm, and the life of the patient is consequently 
placed in the greatest danger. In this case, the sulphate of quinine 
is invaluable ; possessing, as it does, the febrifuge virtues of the 
cinchona in such a concentrated state, that but a small quantity is 
required to produce equal efficacy with a large quantity of the 
powdered cinchona. In such cases, indeed, the latter is apt to dis- 
agree with, or be rejected by the stomach, before its full influence 
can be exerted. In these pernicious fevers, that occur especially in 
Italy and Holland, the sulphate of quinine has supported life in 
innumerable cases where the cinchona, in substance, might have 
failed, and has thereby best exhibited its sanative agency. 1 In 
these cases, the quinine is administered without regard to compli- 
cations, which, in less urgent cases, might be allowed to interfere 
with its administration. Another advantage, ascribed to the qui- 
nine, is, that in cases of paroxysmal fevers, in which the attacks 
follow each other so closely, that the second commences before the 
first has terminated, it may be given during the paroxysm, a time 
at which the cinchona would be apt to occasion oppression of the 
stomach and vomiting. It has likewise been found advantageous 
in large doses — twelve to thirty grains daily — in engorgement of 
the spleen, consequent on intermittent fever. 2 

Besides their febrifuge property, the salts of quinine possess a 
tonic virtue, which adapts them for numerous cases in which that 
class of remedies is indicated. Yet there are many who think that 
the cinchona is better calculated for such cases than the quinine, 
and who administer the latter to prevent the paroxysms of an inter- 
mittent, but have recourse to the cinchona, when they are desirous 
of fortifying the system to prevent a relapse. There are cases, too, 
which resist the quinine and its preparations, and which sub- 
sequently yield to the cinchona in substance, but this may be 
owing to the quantity of lignin, or woody matter in the bark in 
substance, aiding the quinine of the cinchona in producing that 
new impression on the nerves of the stomach, which is necessary 
to break in upon the paroxysmal catenation. 

In its antiseptic virtues, also, the sulphate of quinine is inferior 
to the cinchona. It has been doubted, indeed, whether it possess 
any such virtues at all. 

Lastly : there is an advantage possessed by the sulphate of 
quinine, — that in irritable or impressible persons, it may be ex- 
hibited endermically, and thus no disorder be induced in the 
digestive powers. It need scarcely be said, that the cinchona is 
not adapted for this mode of administration. 

1 Repertorio Medico-Chirurgica por 1'anno 1822, Torino. No. 22. Med. 
Chirarg. Zcitung, B. ii. S. 137, 1823; & Richter's Specielle Therapie, B. 
x. S. 326, Berlin, 1828. 

* Bulletin General de Therapeutique, Nov. 30, 1837. 



326 dunglison's new remedies, 

mode of administering. 

The sulphate of quinine may he administered internally in the 
form of powder or pill, and in solution in water, alcohol, or syrup. 
The average dose in the. twenty-four hours of apyrexia, is from 
four to ten grains ; yet it has been given frequently to a much 
greater extent. As in the case of the cinchona, it has also been 
advised that a large dose should be given immediately before the 
expected paroxysm, so as to render the frequent administration 
during the apyrexia unnecessary ; this dose need not be so great as 
the combined doses would amount to. so that there may be eco- 
nomy in the plan. Dupasquier, Elliotson, 1 ourselves, and many 
others, have found this course eminently successful ; but some ob- 
ject, to it. 

A case of severe remittent has been detailed by Dr. Thomas 
Fearn, 2 in which he gave, at one dose, three tea-spoonfuls 
— weighing thirty-two grains. At the end of an hour, there 
was a diminution in the frequency of the pulse — "the invariable 
effect of large doses of quinine, when its operation is favourable." 
The dose was repeated, and at the end of another hour, it was again 
given, making ninety-six grains in two hours. Dr. Fearn remarks, 
that his usual practice in remittent fever had been to give three 
doses of twenty grains each, with an interval of an hour between. 

Generally, between the paroxysms, several doses are administer- 
ed; and, according to the particular case, the efficacy of the salt of 
quinine is attempted to be increased by the addition of antimonials, 
laxatives, carminatives, &c, and in pernicious or malignant in- 
termittents especially, of opium or morphine. 

By many, a combination of the quinine with moderate doses of 
the cinchona is highly recommended. Chapman advises its union 
with piperine : a combination with the alcoholic extract of cin- 
chona has also been advised. Mr. Sherwin, 3 of Hull, affirms, that 
a piece of apple, chewed for a moment, immediately annihilates the 
bitter taste left by the sulphate of quinine. 

The sulphate of quinine may be used in the way of enema, and 
endermically, when the condition of the stomach forbids its internal 
employment. As an enema, four grains or more may be mixed with 
starch, and be thrown up a short time before the paroxysm, or at the 
inception ojf the same. In this way it has been found efficacious. 4 

In administering the sulphate, or muriate of quinine endermi- 
cally, a space on the surface of the body is deprived of its cuticle 
by means of a blister, and on this denuded portion the agent is 
applied either in the form of powder or of ointment. In testimony 
of the efficacy of this mode of administering the salts of quinine, 



1 Medieo-Chirurgical Transactions, xii. 543, Lend. 1824. 
1 Op. cit. 

3 Lond. Med. Gazette, April 1, 1S37. 

4 Richter, Op. cit. S. 331. Berlin. Medicin. Zeitung, Jan. 4, 1837. 



QUININE SULPHAS. 327 

many observers have come forward, — Lesieur, Lembert, Martin, 
Wesche, Lehmann, Reilingh, Stratingh, Lieber, and others. From 
four to eight grains may be placed on the denuded part once or 
oftener in the day. Dr. Lieber, of Berlin, seems to have prescribed 
the salt most frequently in this way : he mentions, that of sixty 
cases, in which he employed it, only eight or ten were unsuc- 
cessful ; and there was reason to believe, that in these cases the 
internal administration of the sulphate of quinine would have failed 
also. In the case of adults, he applies a blister in the evening — of 
the size of a dollar — over the epigastric region : in the morning, 
during the apyrexia, the blister is cut; the cuticle removed, and 
five or six grains— in children two grains — of the sulphate are 
sprinkled over the denuded surface. The whole is then covered 
with adhesive plaster, which must extend to the breadth of a finger, 
over the edges of the blistered part. 

The sprinkling of the sulphate always occasions a violent 
burning sensation, but if it be applied in the form of ointment this 
evil is avoided, or at least diminished. The pain, however, speedily 
disappears. Some hours after the application of the remedy, op- 
pression is felt in the stomach, with a desire to vomit, without, 
however, vomiting supervening; borborygmi, or uneasiness in the 
bowels, and frequently fluid dejections, with augmented secretion 
of saliva, which, in some cases, continues for several days. 

In the course of from twelve to twenty-four hours after the appli- 
cation, a very bitter taste is generally perceived over the whole 
tongue, similar to that of the quinine ; and if the application has 
been made sufficiently long before the anticipated paroxysm, it may 
be entirely prevented, or be rendered much milder. After the effect 
has been produced, the adhesive plaster may be kept applied for 
some days, and, if the sore is not healed, it may be dressed with 
simple applications. In only two cases did Dr. Lieber observe any 
extensive or offensive suppuration ; and both healed under simple 
dressings with dry lint. 

Rubbing the quinine on the gums has, likewise, been occasionally 
recommended, as well as frictions with the alcoholic solution on 
these as well as other portions of the surface of the body — the 
thighs, groins, and pit of the stomach ; ] and it has been advised in 
cases of intermittent cephalalgia, and in iralgia, to be snuffed up 
the nostrils. 2 

1 Dr. Schuster, cited in Amer. Journ. May, 1832, p. 242; and Antonini, 
Journal des Connoissances, Oct. 1838. 

2 B. St. Hilaire, in Gazette Medicale de Paris, Mars 26, 1836. 



328 



DUNGLISON'S NEW REMEDIES. 



Syrupus Quinince Sulphcitis. 

Syrup of Sulphate of Quinine. 

£. Q,uinin. sulphat. gr. xvj. 
Syrup, simplic. 3viij. M. 

Dose. — A spoonful. Magendie. 

Syrupus QuinincB Sulphatis Compositus. 

Compound Syrup of Sulphate of Quinine. 

5<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. xvj. 
Acid sulphur, dilut. gtt. v. 
Syrup, limonis, ^viij. M. 

Dose. — Same as the last. 

Tin dura Quini?ice Sidphatis. 

Tincture of Sulphate of Quinine. 

3<. Quinin. sulph. gr. vj. 
Solve in 

Alcohol. 34° (.847) |j. 

Dose. — 5j or 3ij, immediately before an attack of fever. 

Magendie. 
Guttce Quinincb Sulphatis et Opii. 
Drops of Sulphate of Quinine and Opium. 

£. Quinin. sulphat. (seu acetat.) gr. xij. 
Solve in 

Spirit, vini rectif. (seu liq. anodyn. Hoffman.) ^ss. 
Adde 

Tinct. opii simpl. gtt. xij. 

Dose. — Morning and evening, twenty drops, in the summer 
fevers of Europe. Schmidt. 

Pulveres Quinines Sulphatis. 

Powders of Sulphate of Quinine. 

B<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. iij. ad. xij. 
Sacchar. alb. Jjij. 
Misce etfiat pulvis in partes vj. cequales dividendus. 

Dose. — A powder morning and evening, in nervous debility and 
in intermittents. 

Radius 1 advises, that the powders should be taken in coffee, by 
which means the bitter taste is almost wholly counteracted. 

Radius. 
Pulveres Quinmce Sulphcitis et Soda, Carbonatis. 
Powders of Sulphate of Quinine and Carbonate of Soda. 

B<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. j. — ij. 
Sodae carbonat. gr. iv. — v. 
Sacch. alb. 9j. 
Misce et fiat pulvis. 

1 Auserlesene Heilformeln, u. s. w. Leipz. IS36. 



QUININE SULPHAS. 329 

Dose. — A powder, morning and evening, in scrofulous oph- 
thalmia. Yon Ammon. 

Pulveres Quinince Sulphatis et Antimonii Tartr cutis. 

Powders of Sulphate of Quinine and Tartarised Antimony. 

5<. Q,uinin. sulphat. gr. x. 

Potass, et antim. tartrat. gr. iij. 
Sacchar. alb. gr. xxiij. 
Misce exacte, et divide in partes sex a>quales. 

Dose. — One, every two hours, during the apyrexia, in cases of 
obstinate interrnittents. Gola. 1 

Pulveres Quinince Sulphatis et Opii. 

Powders of Sulphate of Quinine and Opium. 

Sc Opii puri, gr. j. 

Q,uinin. sulph. gr. iij. 

Sacchar. alb. 

Gum acac. aa. gr. vj. M. fiat pulvis. 

To be taken a short time before the paroxysm in malignant 
interrnittents. Neumann. 

Pulveres .Quinince /Sulphatis et Morphines Sulphatis. 

Powders of Sulphate of Quinine and Sulphate of Morphine. 

£. GluiDiii. sulph. gr. ij. ad vj. 
Morphinse sulph. gr. i ad j. 
Divide in dos. iv. 

Magendie. 

Pulveres Quinince Sulphatis Compositi. 

Compound Powders of Sulphate of Quinine. 

5<. Q,uinin. sulph. gr. j. 

Pulv. cinchon. optim. gr. XV. 
Pulv. rhei, 

Oleosacchar. menth. aa. gr. v. 
Misce et fiat pulvis. 

Eight of these to be given in cases of intermittent fever. 

Naumann. 

B<. Quinin. sulph. gr. J. 
Chocolat. gr. vij. 
Sacchar. lact. gr. ij. 
Misce. Fiat pulvis tertiis omnibus horis sumendus. 

In debility of the stomach. Kopp. 

Pilulce Quinince. Sulphatis. 

Pills of Sulphate of Quinine. 

5<. Q,uinin. sulphat. gr. v. — xij. 
Succ. glycyrrhiz. £j. 
Misce et fiant pilulae xij. 
To be given, according to prescription, in nervous diseases. 

Radius. 
1 Annali Univers. di Medicina, torn. 35. 



330 dunglison's new remedies. 

Pilules Quinines. Sulphat is Co?npositce. 

Compound Pills of Sulphate of Quinine. 

9<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. x. — xv. 
Acid, phosphoric. sicc.Bij. 
Pulv. rad. althseae, (vel rhei,) 3iv. 
Ext. ceDtaur. minor, (vel gentian.) ^ij. 
Misce et fiant pilulae lx. 

Dose. — Three to six pills, two or three times a day, in cases of 
nervous debility, with disposition to hemorrhage, as after abortion. 

Radius. 

5<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. xv. 
Pulv. cinnam. gss. 
Extract, cinchonas q. s. ut fiant pilulae xxx. 

Dose. — Four pills every two to four hours. Henschel. 

&. Quinin. sulphat. gr. xij. 
Extract, trifol. 9j. 
Pulv. rad. calarn. aromat. q. s. 
Fiant pilulae xij. 

Dose. — One or two, every two hours. Hildenbrand. 

Mistura Quinince Sulphatis. 

Mixture of Sulphate of Quinine. 

g<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. xij. 
Acid, sulph. dil. gtt. v. 
Aquas cinnam. simpl. |vj. 
Syrup, cinnam. |j. M. 

Dose. — A table-spoonful. 

Pulv is Sternutatorius ex Quinince. Sulphate. 

Sternutatory Powder of Sulphate of Quinine. 

£. Quinin. sulphat. gr. xv. 

Tabaci sternutator. com. §j. M. 

To be snuffed up the nostrils in the course of five or six days, 
in cases of intermittent headach. 

5<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. vj. 
Pulv. sacchar. pur. 3J. 
Pulv. rad. iridis, ^iss. M. 

Small pinches of this to be snuffed up the nose at night. 

13. St. Hilaire. 

Unguentum Quinince Sulphatis. 

Ointment of Sulphate of Quinine. 

5<. Quinin. sulphat. |j. 

Alcohol (3S° ad 40°) q. s. (gij.) 
Acid, sulphuric, q. s. (gtt. lxxx.) 
Adipis suill. §iv. M. 
Half an ounce at a time to be rubbed on the groins in malignant 
intermittents. It is likewise placed in the axilla. 

Antonini. 



QTJININiE, ET CINCHONINE, TANNAS. 331 

Vinum Quinines. 
Wine of Quinine. 

5<. Quinin. sulphat. gr. xij. # 
Vin. Mader. &ij. M. 

The wine of quinine may also be made extemporaneously, by 
adding two ounces of the tincture to each pint bottle of wine. 



GlUININiE, ET CINCHONINE, TANNAS. 

Synonyme. — Tannate of Quinine, and Cinchonine. 

Dr. Otto 1 has recently drawn the attention of physicians to the 
efficacy of the Tannates of Quinine and Cinchonine, as recom- 
mended by Dr. Ronander, the secretary to the Swedish Medical 
Association. He regards them as the most active ingredients in 
the cinchonas ; and affirms that he has cured by their agency 
several cases of obstinate intermittent, which had resisted the use 
of sulphate of quinine and other powerful remedies. He found 
them likewise very useful in typhus and in states of general weak- 
ness and tendency to putrescency, where the sulphate of quinine 
seemed to be ineffectual. Dr. Ronander's experiments establish 
the belief that the tannin of the cinchonas may be instrumental in 
developing their full febrifuge powers. 2 The tannate of quinine is 
also a cheaper remedy than the sulphate. 



On separating the quinine from cinchona by means of acids, a 
resinous constituent of the bark remains behind, which affords no 
more quinine, but yet possesses considerable febrifuge power, and 
on that account has been much used by the Dutch physicians. 
Two grains of this residuum are said to act as well as one grain of 
quinine. Truessink adduces a series of observations of different 
physicians, all of which confirm this, and he cites the experience 
of American physicians with this residuum. According to Chap- 
man, 3 a grain of this may be given every two hours during the 
apyrexia, in the form of pill. Strathing ascribes its efficacy to the 
quinine still contained in it. In Italy, several physicians have 
found the mother waters or lees after the preparation of quinine, 
when boiled to the consistence of syrup, very efficacious in inter- 
mittei.ts ; and Roux recommends it highly for practice amongst 

1 Dublin Journal of Medical Science, Sepr. 1836. 

2 Revue Medicale, Mai, 1837, and Araer. Med. Intelligencer, Oct. 16, 
1837, p. 270. 

s Elements of Therapeutics, 6th edit. ii. 292. Philad. 1831. 



332 dunglison's new remedies. 

the poor. Buchner advises the lees, evaporated to dryness — 
which he terms Chininum Resino-sulphuricum — to be introduced 
as a cheap, and, at the same time, efficacious preparation of cin- 
chona, which may be used in charitable institutions, rubbed with 
sugar as a powder, or dissolved in alcohol, in place of the sulphate 
of quinine. These experiments and propositions, as Riecke 1 ob- 
serves, merit more consideration than they have yet received; for 
the quinine, notwithstanding its price is much less than formerly, 
is yet so dear, that its administration does not adapt it well for 
charitable institutions, whilst the residue, which possesses valuable 
properties, is generally thrown away, and in this manner the price 
of the quinine is enhanced. 

Serturner 2 thinks he discovered, besides the quinine and the cin- 
chonine, other alkaloids of cinchona, especially one, which he calls 
Chinioidine, or Chinoidine, and which excels in medicinal properties 
all the other preparations of cinchona. Henry and Delondre — the 
French chemists — affirm that the chinioidine is nothing more than 
quinine, cinchonine, and a peculiar yellow resinous matter, inti- 
mately adherent to that alkaloid. It appears, also, from the experi- 
ments of different physicians with the presumed new alkaloid, that 
it essentially resembles the preparations already mentioned in its 
medical properties. A Resina Chinas Prasparata is recommended 
by Plagge, which is prepared from the mother waters or lees of the 
quinine, by means of precipitation by a carbonated alkali, extrac- 
tion by alcohol, and removal of the alcoholic liquor by distillation. 
It is said, likewise, to possess markedly curative powers in inter- 
mittents. 

The pharmacopoeia of the United States gives a formula under 
the title Quinige Sulphas Impurus, which consists in evaporating 
the liquor poured off the crystals of sulphate of quinine to the 
consistence of a pilular mass. This has been known for years in 
Philadelphia under the name of Extract of Quinine, and its active 
ingredients appear to be sulphate of quinine and sulphate of cin- 
chonine, which are prevented from crystallising by a peculiar 
resinoid substance united with them. 

Dr. Wood 3 asserts, that he has seldom found intermittents resist 
twenty-four grains of the impure sulphate, given between the 
paroxysms; although a larger quantity may be employed with 
safety and greater certainty of success. We have never pre- 
scribed it. 

' Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 130. 

2 Hufeland's Journal, Jan. 1829. 

a Art. Quinioe Sulphas Impurus, in Wood and Bache's Dispensatory. 



SALICINA. 333 



SALICINA. 

French. — Salicinum, Salicine, Salicin. 
German. — Salicin. 

The tonic virtues of the bark of the willows have been known 
for ages, and it has been regarded as one of the best substitutes for 
the cinchona in eleemosynary institutions. It was not much valued, 
however, in more modern times, until the discovery of an active 
principle in it again attracted to it the attention of practitioners. 
This discovery if not made, was perfected, by Leroux, 1 an apothe- 
cary at Vitry, in France, who first obtained the salicine in a pure 
state in 1828, after it had been procured in an impure form by- 
some German and Italian chemists. 2 It is prepared, by preference, 
from the salix helix, but it is found likewise in the barks of other 
varieties of the willow — the Salix alba, S. vitellina, S. purpurea, S. 
lambertiana, S. pentandra, S. polyandra, S. fragilis, S. viminalis, 
&c, and in the leaves and barks of several varieties of poplar, — the 
populus tremula, P. tremuloides, P. alba, and P. grgeca. 3 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to the method of Leroux, three pounds of dried and 
powdered willow bark (salix helix) are boiled for three quarters of 
an hour in fifteen pounds of water, to which four ounces of subcarbo- 
nate of potassa have been added. To the cold decoction are added 
two pounds of liquid subacetate of lead. The mixture is permitted to 
settle, is filtered, treated with sulphuric acid, and the remaining lead 
precipitated by a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen gas. The excess 
of acid is neutralised by carbonate of lime : it is then again filtered, 
the fluid inspissated, and neutralised by dilute sulphuric acid. It 
is deprived of its colour by ivory black, and filtered whilst boiling. 
It is then twice crystallised — if still coloured after the first crystalli- 
sation — and dried in obscurity. This process yields about an 
ounceof salicine. 

Braconnot 4 obtains it by adding subacetate of lead to a decoction 
of the bark, precipitating the excess of lead by sulphuric acid, eva- 
porating the colourless liquid that remains, adding near the end of 
the process a little animal charcoal previously washed, and filter- 
ing the liquor while hot. The salicine is deposited, on cooling, in 
a crystalline form. 5 

The following plan has been advised by Messrs. Fisher and 

' Annalcs dc Chimie, &c. xliii. and Journal de Chimie Mcdicale, torn. vi. 
2 Dictionnaire de Mat. Med. par Merat & De Lens, art. Salicine. 
3 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneirniltel, S. 365. 

4 Journal de Chimie Medicale, Janvier, 1831. 

5 For Peschier's method, see Annales de Chimie, vol. xliv. and Amer. 
Journ. Med. Sciences, May, 1831, p. 256. 



334 dunglison's new remedies. 

Tyson, of Baltimore. 1 Willow bark is boiled with caustic lime in 
water ; the decoction is filtered and sulphate of zinc added, so long 
as it produces a precipitate. The liquid, having been again filtered, 
is evaporated to the consistence of an extract, and the residue is 
treated with alcohol. The tincture, thus obtained, if carefully 
evaporated, yields crystals of salicine, which may be purified by 
washing with a saturated solution of the same principle, in cold 
water. 

Salicine forms very tine silky masses of white crystals, which 
have the appearance of mother of pearl. It bears a distant resem- 
blance to the sulphate of quinine, yet it is not so loose and delicate. 
It is permanent in the air, inodorous, and has a strong, enduring, 
bitter taste, with a striking accompanying balsamic flavour, like 
the bark of the willow. 2 One hundred parts of cold water dissolve 
six parts of salicine. In warm water it is more soluble, and also in 
alcohol ; but it is not soluble either in ether or the essential oils. It 
exhibits no alkaline reaction. By admixture with sulphuric acid 
salicine acquires a beautiful red colour. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The well known effects of the barks of the willows gave occasion 
to the immediate employment of salicine in cases of intermittent 
fever. Miquel 3 appears to have been one of the first — if not the 
first — who instituted experiments with it; and he satisfied himself, 
that it merits a distinguished place amongst our febrifuge agents, 
although it requires larger doses than the quinine. Soon after- 
wards it was given by other physicians — by Husson and Bally, 
Girardin, Magendie, Blaincourt, Graff, Linz, Stegmayer, Amelung, 
Stam, Galarna, Van Sneek, Blom, Grafe, Von dem Busch, Kromb- 
holz, Pleischl, and others. 

The sentiments, respecting its value, are discrepant; some class- 
ing it far beneath the quinine, whilst others assign it even a higher 
position. Its general properties are certainly analogous to those of 
quinine; but it in no respect merits a preference/ not even in the 
article of price : for, although an equal weight of salicine may cost 
less, it requires so much more to produce the same effect, that the 
cost is perhaps equal. 

Still as M. Pleischl, 5 of Prague, has suggested, even if the sali- 
cine were much the dearer of the two, it might be better to use it, 

1 Journal of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, iii. 214. 

2 MM. Pelouze and Jules Gay Lussac, in Annales de Chimie, vol. xliv. 

3 Gazette Medicale de Paris, Janv. 1830; see, also, Annales de Chimie, 
xliii. and xliv. 

* Richelot, in Archives Generales de Medeeine, Sepr. 1833: see, also, 
Prof. Dierbach, in Heidelb. klinisch. Annal. B. x. H. 1. S. 62. Heidelb. 
1834. 

8 Medicinisch. Jahrbucher des k. k. 0. Staat. 1835; and Br. and For. 
Med. Rev. for Apl. 1836, p. 576. 



SALICINA. 335 

because it is of home manufacture, and can be obtained in war as 
well as in peace. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The ordinary dose of salicine, in a case of intermittent, is about 
four or six grains every three hours during the period of intermis- 
sion ; in the febres larvatse, or masked fevers, smaller doses may be 
given, but in the very violent fevers at Calvi, in the Island of 
Corsica, Levy found it often necessary to give from forty to fifty 
grains in the twenty-four hours. 

Of thirty cases of quotidian and tertian infermittents, twenty 
were cured by the use of the salicine ; ten required afterwards the 
sulphate of quinine. 

He considers it to be preferable to the sulphate of quinine in 
intermittents that are accompanied by irritation in the primes viae : 
he never saw it rejected or produce vomiting ; and in cases of 
manifest irritation of the digestive tube, it has been borne perfectly 
well. 1 

Salicine is generally given in intermittents, in the form of powder. 
In other affections, to obtain its febrifuge or tonic agency, one or 
two grains may be given four or five times a day — gradually aug- 
menting the dose. 

In cases of asthenia of the digestive organs, Yon dem Busch 
prescribes a powder of salicine and sugar, with the addition of cin- 
namon ; and lozenges of salicine, sugar, gum arabic, and oil of 
peppermint. In cases of copious secretion from the mucous mem- 
branes, especially in chronic bronchitis and leucorrhoea, he directs 
the salicine to be combined with a decoction of the polygala amara. 
or of the lichen islandicus. In intermittents, Stegmayer advises it 
to be associated with small doses of tartrate of antimony and potassa. 

Pulveres fSalicince. 

Powders of Salicine. 

*. Salicin. gr. xij. 

Sacch. alb. 9ij. Misce 
et fiat pulvis in partes iv sequales dividendus. 

Dose. — One, three times a day. Krombholz. 

Pulveres Salicinai Compositi. 

Compound Powders of Salicine. 

9<. Salicin. gr. xv. 

Antim. et potass, tartrat. gr. j. 
Sacchar. alb. J}iiss. Misce 
et fiat pulvis, in partes x sequales dividendus. 

Dose. — A powder every two hours. Stegmayer. 

1 Archives Medicales de Strasbourg, and Gazette Medicale de Paris, F6vr. 
25, 1837. 



336 dunglison's new remedies. 

Misiura SalicincB. 
Mixture of Salicine. 

&. Rad. polygal. amar. gvj. 
Coque cum aquse fontanse 3xij. ad remanent. 3 viij. 
Colaturse adde 

Salicin. gr. viij. ad x. M. 

Dose. — One or two spoonfuls every two hours. 

Von dem Busch. 



SAPO COCONEUS. 

Synonymes. — Soap of the Cocoanut Oil, Sapo Cacaotinus. 
French. — Savon de Cacoa. 
German. — Cocosnussulseife. 

This soap has been much employed in Europe, of late years more 
especially, as a cosmetic, and it seems well adapted for the pur- 
pose, except for its peculiar odour, which is by no means agreeable, 
but may be masked by the addition of some sweet-scented oil. Our 
object in mentioning it here is to state, that the veteran Hufeland 
extolled it highly as an efficacious and innoxious application in 
herpes, not only from numerous trials of it made by himself, but by 
others, and he affirms, that when it does not effect a cure, it allays 
the distressing burning and itching. 

The soap is dissolved in warm water, and the affected part 
washed with it three or four times a day. 



SAPO MOLLIS. 

Synonymes. — Sapo Viridis, S. Niger, S. Kalicus, Soft Soap. 

French. — Savon Noir, Savon Mou. 

German. — Schmierseife, Griine Schmierseife. 

Under this name a soap is used, which is formed by a union of 
oil with potassa. It is the "sapo ex oleo et -polassd confectus" of 
the London Pharmacopoeia, and has of late been brought forward 
in Germany as a remedial agent in cases of itch, 1 and has been 
employed in many hospitals. 

1 Pfeuffer, Beobachtungen iiber die Kralze und ihre Behandlung durch die 
Schmier- oder griine Seife. Bamberg, 1833. 



SAPO MOLLIS. 337 



MODE OP ADMINISTERING. 

The treatment of itch by soft soap is directed by Pfeuffer to be 
carried into etfect in the following manner. 

Attention is paid to the general health of the patient for a day 
before the soap is applied. His whole body, with the exception of 
the head, face, and genital organs, is then besmeared with it, and 
the application is repeated, morning and evening, for six days. 
According to the extent of surface of the patient's body, at first two 
rubbings, of from four to six ounces, are used; at the third and 
fourth, from two to three ounces, and from the fifth to the seventh 
inclusive, from half an ounce to an ounce ; but after this, the soap 
is applied only to those parts which are affected with the eruption or 
itching. On the eighth day the patient takes a bath of tepid soap 
and water, and the body and bed linen, which have not been shifted 
during the cure, may now be changed for cleaner. In dry and 
warm seasons, the patient is able to leave the infirmary on the 
tenth day, cured ; but in moist and cold, not until the twelfth or 
fourteenth. The cure of the eruption is generally effected in seven 
days, that is, by fourteen rubbings. During the period of treat- 
ment, the patient must remain in bed, avoid exposure to draughts 
of air, and reside in a chamber whose temperature is from 73° to 
77° of Fahrenheit. 

On account of the strong smell of the soap, not more than ten 
patients ought to be permitted to occupy the same room. A full 
diet may be allowed them. 

From six to eight hours after the first or second rubbing, a 
sense of tension and pricking is felt in the skin, which, at times, 
gradually augments until it amounts to a feeling of burning 
heat. About the fifth or sixth rubbing, the skin appears of a 
scarlet hue, without the temperature being materially elevated. 
In several cases, irritative fever ensues, which disappears in the 
course of twenty-four hours, with augmented secretion of urine. 
Miliary vesicles form in groups; sweating takes place freely; the 
sleep which may have been disturbed for a night or two recurs; 
the skin desquamates, and the patient does not find his strength in 
the least exhausted. Should the inflammation of the skin occur 
earlier than the sixth rubbing, the friction must be pretermitted. 
Pfeuffer, however, never observed this to be the case. 

In scrofulous and syphilitic dyscrasies, it may happen, that the 
friction will have to be repeated once more, and that the patient may 
have to remain from two to four weeks in the institution. 

It very generally happens, that this plan excites inflammation of 
the skin and desquamation of the cuticle: when this is not the case, 
no change whatever is produced in the eruption. 

In order to mitigate the distressing feeling of burning produced 
by the rubbing, one part of flowers of sulphur may be added to 
two parts of the soft soap. 

In those cases, in which the disease has existed for years, with 
II— b dungl 22 



338 dunglison's new remedies. 

greater or less intervals, and in those who were strumous in their 
youth, or were at a subsequent period affected with syphilis; — in 
all cases, indeed, in which the cutaneous affection has become, as 
it were, habitual, Pfeuffer directs, that a cathartic should be pre- 
mised, and that in the course of the cure, a quart of the decoction 
of the woods should be taken. 

This mode of treatment, according to Pfeuffer, is contra-indicated 
by febrile conditions, especially of the synochal kind ; acute cuta- 
neous affections; pulmonary and abdominal catarrhs ; pulmonary 
and abdominal phthisis; chronic headach ; and hereditary or 
acquired tendency to epilepsy. In such cases, he prefers the 
internal and external use of sulphur; and, after the cure, the esta- 
blishment of issues. 

The great recommendation of this plan of treatment, in hospitals 
and infirmaries, is said to be its cheapness, although it strikes us, 
that there cannot be any marked difference in this respect between 
it and the treatment by sulphur, which is greatly used, on this very 
ground, in many of the eleemosynary establishments of Germany 
at this time. 1 

The efficacy of Pfeuffer's plan of treatment has been confirmed 
by numerous observers, — by Graff, Bermann, and Cramer, who is 
said to have first recommended the soap in scabies ; and by Sicherer, 
Seytfer, Cless and others, all of whom agree as to its excellence ; 
they regard it as one of the best methods of treatment in use. 



SECALE CORNUTUM. 

Synonymes. — Ergota, Clavis Secalinus, Calcar, Secalis Mater, Secale 
Luxurians, Ustilago, Clavis Siliginis, Spurred Rye, Corned Rye, The 
Spur, Ergot, Hornseed. 

French. — Seigle ergotee, Ble cornu. 

German. — Mutterkorn, Gebarpulver. 

The effects, which this substance is capable of exerting on the 
uterus, are so well known as not to need any lengthened description. 
Its employment in parturition having been first revived in this coun- 
try, there are but few who are ignorant of its reputed properties. 
Certain effects have, however, been ascribed to it, in very recent 
times, which require mention. 

The spurred rye or ergot — the latter being the common name it 
bears from its " spurred" appearance 2 — is generally considered to 

1 H. Vezin, Ueber die Kratze und ihre Behandlung nach der englischen 
Methode, Osnabruck, 1836. See, also, American Medical Intelligencer, 
Aug. 15, 1839, p. 158. 

•French, ergot, "aspui." 



SECALE CORNUTUM. 339 

be the result of a disease in rye, occurring most frequently when a 
hot summer succeeds a rainy spring. 

Decandolle, however, regards it as a parasitic fungus, and calls 
it Sclerotium clavus ; whilst Leveille esteems it to be a fungus giving 
a coating to the diseased grain — the medical virtues residing in 
the coating. This fungus he calls Sphacelia segetum. Brande 
refers it to the natural order, Fungacece, and terms it Spermoe'dia 
clavus, and in the last edition of the London Pharmacoposia, it is 
referred to the Acinula clavus of Fries; 1 but, according to Lindley, 
Fries has no such plant in any of his works, and the only species 
of acinula known, acinula candicans, is found on the rotten leaves 
of the common alder, and among melting snow; its organization is 
of another kind from that of the spermoe'dia; and Fries, who regards 
the other as a morbid state of the grain of certain grasses, con- 
siders acinula as a true fungus. 2 

Recently, Mr. Smith and Mr. Quekett have maintained, that the 
ergot is not a fungus, but a diseased state of the grain occasioned 
by the growth of a fungus not previously detected — to this fungus 
Mr. Q,uekett gives the name Ergotaetia 3 abortans. 4 By the micros- 
cope, they discovered sporules, sporidia, or jointed bodies, which 
appeared "to be the reproductive particles of the fungus. 



EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The effects produced on the animal economy by the ergot, when 
eaten as food, are extremely injurious : the aggregate of the symp- 
toms has been termed Ergotism. At times, they are limited to 
vertigo, spasms and convulsions, with a peculiar tingling or formi- 
cation in the arms and legs, which has given the affection the name' 
among the Germans of Kriebelkrankheit, or "creeping disease." 
Most commonly, the limbs waste away, lose sensation and the power 
of motion, and separate from the body by dry gangrene — constitut- 

1 Syst. Mycol. 

1 Brande's Dictionary of the Materia Medica, p. 233, Lond. 1839. See, 
also, Venus, Grundriss der medicin. Receptirkunst, u. s. w. S. 347. Weimar, 
1838. 

3 From ergota, and mthc, " cause." 

* London Lancet, June 22, 1839, p. 465. See, also, an abridgment of a 
communication read by Mr. duekett before the Linnscan Society, Nov. 4, 
1S38, with illustrative woodcuts, in American Journal of Pharmacy, for 
July, 1839, p. 116. For remarks on an insect met with in the diseased grain, 
see a paper by Mr. Muller, of Butler county. Pa., with comments by Dr. 
Carson, in Amer. Journal of Pharmacy for Jan., 1839, p. 269. M. De- 
bourge considers, that the ergot is an animal product from the telephorous 
family. The insect deposits a liquid of its own formation on a grain of 
rye and produces the ergot; whence it follows, he conceives, that the ergot 
may be produced at pleasure by expressing this liquid upon all the grains of 
rye that are within a certain period of their maturity. Socieles Savanles, 
in Encyclographie des Sciences Medicales, Avril, 1838. 



340 dunglison's new remedies. 

ing gangrenous erethism or mildew mortification} These, how- 
ever, are the toxical, not the therapeutical effects of the agent. 2 

The extraordinary property, ascribed to the ergot, of assisting the 
parturient efforts has long been credited in Germany. Its old Ger- 
man names, Mutterkorn (" wombgraiu") and Gebarpulver ("par- 
turient powder") are sufficient evidences of this notion ; but, for a 
long time, this was rather a matter of popular than of scientific 
belief, although the " pulvis parturientis" of the Marburg Pharma- 
copoeia consisted principally of ergot. 

About eighty years ago, it was recommended in this country by 
Dr. John Stearns, of Saratoga county, New York, and since that 
time the weight of testimony, adduced in its favour on both sides of 
the Atlantic, has be<m overwhelming. Still, there are many distin- 
guished individuals, who deny it all power over the uterus both in 
the unimpregnated and the impregnated state, and who affirm, that 
it acts only indirectly on that viscus through the general disturbance 
it occasions, and that, therefore — like every other internal agent 
administered as an abortive — it ought to be esteemed rather indi- 
rect than direct in its action. Such is the decided opinion of Jorg, 3 
whose attention has been directed to the effects produced by differ- 
ent medicinal agents on the sound and diseased economy, and who 
goes so far as to affirm, from his experiments and observations, that 
there is no " farther connection between these degenerate grains and 
the uterus, than the word Mutter ('uterus') which is common to 
both." 

From his various and varied experiments, Dr. Jorg infers, that 
the ergot, when given in small doses, produces little or no effect 
upon the functions; but, when fresh dried in an oven, and admi- 
nistered in large doses, it oppresses the stomach, occasioning nausea, 
vomiting, colic, liquid evacuations, destroys the appetite, and injures 
the digestive powers; — these effects being accompanied by a sense 
of weight in the head, vertigo, cephalalgia, and by general torpor 
of the system. Under these circumstances, he thinks, it is not 
difficult to understand, that the connection between the foetus and 
the uterus may be modified, and that abortion may take place. 

Recently, the author has caused various experiments to be insti- 
tuted on the use of the secale cornutum in doses of half a drachm 
and a scruple of the powder, and in the form of the oily matter 
referred to below. These experiments were made on both males 
and females ; and the general effects were those described by Dr. 
Jorg; — when the dose was too large, nausea or vomiting often 
resulted, with signs of narcosis. They were made, at the author's 

1 See articles, Convulsio cerealis, and Ergotism, in the author's Medical 
Lexicon. Philad. 1839, and his Therapeutics, p. 272, Philad. 1836. 

2 See Christison on Poisons, 3d edit. chap. xl. 

3 Dass der Gebrauch inner Reizmittel zur Beforderung der Geburt des 
Kincles unnGthig, fruchtlos, und gesunden Frauen sogar schadlich sei ; u. 
s. w. S. 40. Zeitz. 1833. See, also, the author's General Therapeutics, 
p. 271. 



SECALE CORNUTUM. 341 

desire, by Drs. Cottman and McKee, resident physicians at the 
Philadelphia Hospital. 1 

Chemical analysis has thrown no light on the cause of those 
properties. According to the analysis of Vauquelin, 2 ergot contains 
a colouring matter of a yellowish hue; a white oily matter ; a violet 
colouring matter insoluble in alcohol; a free acid, which is in part 
phosphoric; a very abundant vegeto-animal matter, which is 
greatly disposed to putrefaction, and furnishes much thick oil and 
ammonia on distillation ; and a small quantity of free ammonia, 
which may be obtained at the temperature of boiling water. 

A more recent analysis has been made by Maas, 3 of Hamburg. 
He found it to contain gluten; ammonia or a peculiar alkali ; acetic 
acid ; a violet colouring matter ; resin ; fixed oil ; an alkaline acetate, 
but neither starch, hydrocyanic acid, narcotine, nor phosphoric acid, 
which some had discovered in it. 4 

Its active principle is yet undetermined. 

Dr. Hooker, of New Haven, 5 found, that when a quantity of pul- 
verised ergot was macerated for several days in sulphuric ether, and 
the liquid evaporated in a glass vessel until it no longer afforded the 
smell of ether, there remained at the bottom of the vessel a small 
quantity of thick heavy oil, resembling in appearance fish oil ; above 
this was a lighter oil, much more abundant than the former, of a 
light reddish-brown colour, and of a sweetish nauseous taste. This 
light oil was found to be possessed of decidedly narcotic properties. 
In two experimental cases, the effects of the ergot continued apparent 
for nearly a week ; the pupils of the eye were dilated ; the pulse, 
respiration, and capillary action were very slow, and the skin livid, 
— with loss of appetite, general languor and lassitude, and rigidity 
and soreness of the muscles; those of the thighs and other parts of 
the lower extremities being more particularly affected. For three 
days the pulse continued below fifty, with a proportionate infre- 
quency of respiration. 6 

In the experiments made with this substance by Dr. McK.ee, 7 he 
found that in every case, when given in doses of from ten to forty 
drops, it at first produced slight exhilaration of the spirits with 
increase of circulation ; but these symptoms were soon followed by 
sedation, and in the larger doses by nausea also. 

Although the ergot is capable of producing the acro-narcotic effects 
described above, their supervention is not desired by those, who 

1 American Medical Intelligencer, Sep. 1, 1839, p. 161. See, also, M. Cor- 
dier, in Journal General de Med. Avril, 1823. 

2 Memoir du Museum, iii. 108, Paris, 1817. 

3 Bulletin des Sciences Medicales de Ferussac, xix. 332; and Merat & 
De Lens, Dirt.de Mat. Med. Art. Ergot. 

4 For Mr. Battley's Analysis, see Lond. Med. Gaz., Feb., 1831, and for 
that of Mr. Wigger, Lancet, Nov. 10, 1832. from Allgem. Med. Zeitung. 

6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, x. 298, Boston, 1837. 
6 See Amer. Med. Intelligencer, Dec. 15. 1837, p. 329. 
'Ibid. Sept. 1, 1839, p. 161. 



342 dunglison's new remedies. 

regard it to be possessed of peculiar powers by which it causes 
contraction in the uterine fibres of the parturient female, and who 
administer it with that view. 

When given in appropriate and properly repeated doses, the 
uterine action, they assert, becomes more energetic, and the con- 
tractions constant and almost unremitting; but there is no accom- 
panying disorder. It has been largely administered, and in no 
country, perhaps, more than in this ; practitioners of the greatest 
eminence — here and elsewhere — have placed the fullest reliance on 
its powers to excite contraction of the uterine fibres, and although, 
in many of the cases which fell under their observation, the partu- 
rient efforts might have recurred without the agency of the ergot, 
this could scarcely have been the case with the remainder. From 
the results, therefore, of these cases, we seem to be compelled to 
admit, that the ergot is possessed of expulsive properties by which it 
acts upon the parturient uterus ; but that it is capable of producing 
any effect upon the unimpregnated uterus, or upon the impregnated 
at any time, except when parturition has commenced, is denied by 
many. The result, however, of all these observations precludes 
the belief, that the increased parturient efforts, resulting from its 
agency, are produced indirectly by violence done to the constitution 
of the mother, inasmuch as, in most of the recorded cases of benefit 
accruing from its administration, no such violence would appear to 
have been done by it. Yet, admitting the full power ascribed to 
the ergot in these cases, it can be rarely necessary to have recourse 
to it ; and it is doubtless often employed, where the propriety of the 
administration of it, or of any other agent, is extremely question- 
able. 

But the effect produced by the ergot upon the mother has not been 
the only topic of interest in regard to its use in parturition. It has 
been maintained by many, that since its introduction, the number of 
the stillborn has augmented, and that observation has sufficiently 
shown, that where it is given to expedite delivery, more or less 
danger always accrues to the offspring j 1 either by the induction of 
asphyxia, or of positive death, owing to the violence of the uterine 
contractions, or by the deleterious agency of the ergot on the 
foetus. 2 But even were we to admit the prejudicial effect of the 
ergot on the foetus in utero to be true — and it has been deposed to 
by many obstetricians — and that the number of the still-born is 
greater than formerly — which is. however, by no means the case 
— its influence could be but small, and could not account for the 
statistical differences that have been noticed. 3 

In many cases, the ergot has been largely administered, and yet 

1 Chevasse, in Transact, of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Asso- 
ciation, iv. 306, Lond. 1836. 

2 Mojon, in Gazette Medicale de Paris, Janv. 19, 1839. 

3 Avery, in Transact, of the Med. Society of the State of New York, vol. 
iii. Pt. 2. p. 185, Albany, 1837. 



SECALE CORNUTUM. 343 

the child has been born alive. Dr. James Paterson, 1 of Glasgow, 
details the particulars of a case in which the enormous quantity of 
four ounces was given, yet the movements of the child continued 
lively ; and he refers to an excellent paper by Professor Von 
Busch, 2 of Berlin, now before us, containing a reference to one 
hundred and seventy-five cases in which the secale cornutum was 
given on account of deficient labour-pains. One hundred and 
seventy-seven children were born; of these one hundred and forty- 
two were born alive ; eighteen in a state of asphyxia which was 
removed by appropriate treatment; and seventeen still-born. Of 
the seventeen dead, seven had evidently died before labour, and 
were more or less putrid ; and ten during labour; of these, two lost 
their lives from turning; one from presentation of the breech; two 
from prolapsus of the funis ; one from narrow pelvis and detention 
of the head therein ; one from the long duration of the fourth stage 
of labour ; one from a difficult forceps case, which required perfo- 
ration afterwards ; one from a peculiar deformity of the extremities ; 
and one from no assignable cause : so that, of the one hundred and 
seventy-seven cases, there was but one which could be referred to 
the agency of the ergot, and there was no reasonable ground for 
such reference. 

Dr. Frank Ramsbotham 3 who regards the secale cornutum as 
capable of exerting specific powers on the uterus at all periods of 
utero-gestation, and who has recently referred to several cases of 
premature labour induced in his own practice by its use. is disposed 
to. conclude, that although it may bring on labour without having 
recourse to any operation, yet that it does not present a more likely, 
or indeed so probable, a means of saving the infant as the older 
method of puncturing the membranes; and he infers, from his 
experience, that whatever might have been the quantity adminis- 
tered, unless it exerted a decided influence over the uterus, the 
child suffered no detriment. 4 

Dr. Paterson 5 and Mr. Heane 6 have likewise administered the 
ergot successfully in large doses with the view of inducing prema- 
ture labour. The former of these gentlemen is disposed to think, 
that the abortive properties of the ergot are not exerted upon the 
impregnated uterus at an early period of utero-gestation, but that, 
at a certain stage of development, the uterine fibres are capable of 
being excited by it so as to expel the foetus. It would be strange 
were its agency to be thus restricted. 

1 London Medical Gazette, June 1, 1S39, p. 337. 

2 Die ^ebiirtsliiilfliclie Klinilc an der kiini^lichen Friedrich-Wilhelms- 
Universit&t zu Berlin, in neue Zeitschrift fur Geburtskunde, u. s. w. B. v. H. 
i. S. 107. Berlin, 1837. 

3 Lond. Med. Gaz. June 15, 1839, p. 420. See, also, Ibid, for June 28, 
1834. 

* See, on this subject, Dr. J. J. Kelso, in Lond. Lancet, June 22, 1839, p. 
462; and Duparcque, in Revue Medicale, Mars, 1838. 
8 Lond. Med. Gaz. June 1, 1839, p. 332. See, also, Ibid. Sept. 1838. 
8 Ibid. Jan. 26, 1839. 



344 dunglison's new remedies. 

When ergot was found to be possessed of the power of exciting 
uterine contractions, it was philosophical to employ it in retention 
of the placenta, in after-pains, 1 and in cases of uterine hemorrhage 
and of convulsions 2 in the parturient state, accompanied with atony 
of the uterus. 3 In such cases, means of more speedy action are 
needed ; but still cases might arise in which the administration 
of ergot might be serviceable, and several such cases, attesting 
the services rendered by it, have been published. 

It has been strongly recommended, likewise, for the prevention 
of uterine hemorrhage by Stearns, 4 Dewees, 5 Bradley, 6 Abraham, 7 
Kisch and others. 

Subsequently, the employment of the ergot was extended to 
amenorrhea 8 and to uterine hemorrhage in the unimpregnated 
female, and many cases have been published in confirmation of its 
being possessed of such virtues. It was thought, also, that it might 
be serviceable, — and was found so by Bazzoni, 9 Negri, and others, 
— in leucorrhoea, and in gonorrhoea 10 , dysentery, 11 &c, and again, 
as it proved to be useful in uterine hemorrhage, it was conceived, 
that it might exhibit like powers in other hemorrhages, and accord- 
ingly it was given in cases of epistaxis, haemoptysis, heematuria, 
&c. In these last cases, it has been rarely, however, employed. 12 
The narcotic or sedative property, which it exhibits in certain cases 
and doses, and the sedative action, which it exerts in others, may 
render it serviceable in these affections, whatever may have been 
the process of reasoning, which led originally to its employment. 13 

Dr. Perrine 14 has published some cases of periodical diseases, in 
which the powder of the secale cornutum was administered with 
advantage during the intervals ; but no further results appear to 
have been elicited. 

M. Payan 15 thinks it demonstrated that the ergot is primarily and 

> Hoffman, in Berk Med. Zeifung, June 29, 1S36. 
2 Duparcque, Revue Medirale, Mars, 1838. 

3 Von Busch, Op. cit. i. 105. 

4 Philad. Journ. of Med. and Phys. Science, v. 44. 
6 System of Midwifery. 

6 Lancet, April 15, 1837. 

7 Ibid, April 22, 1S37. 

8 Enriotti, in Repertorio Medico-Chirurgico del Piemonte, and Journal des 
Connoissances, Mars, 1838. 

9 Annali Universali di Medicina, Feb. 1831, and Ryan, Medical Formu- 
lary, p. 264, 3d edit. Lond. 1839. 

10 Miiller in Rust's Magazine, B. xl. H. iii. and Amer. Journ. of the 
Med. Sciences, Feb. 1835, p. 527; and Ryan, Op. cit. 

11 Mojon, Op. cit. 

12 Duparcque, Op. cit. 

13 See some remarks on this subject, by the Author, in American Medical 
Intelligencer, vol. i. p. 219. 

u Amer. Journal of the Medical Sciences, Nov. 1833, p. 279. 
15 Revue Medicale, Fevrier et Mars, 1839; in Encvclogiaph. des Sciences 
Medicates, Avril, 1829. 



SECALE CORNUTUM. 345 

essentially an excitant of the spinal marrow ; and he conceives, 
that its action on the uterus, bladder, and muscles of the lower 
extremities is but secondary, from a reflex action transmitted from 
the spinal marrow to those organs through the nerves distributed 
to them. He has given the details of some cases of paraplegia, 
which seemed to be relieved by the ergot ; an infusion of fifteen 
grains in water being given at first in the course of the day, and 
the dose being gradually augmented. 

M. Allier fits, 1 from having observed, as he believed, contraction 
of the fibres of the bladder under the administration of ergot, has 
recommended it highly in cases of retention of urine ; and feels 
himself justified in inferring, from the results of varied observation, 
that it is capable of restoring to the bladder the contractility it may 
have lost owing to immoderate distension of its coats by accumula- 
tion of urine : — that its action has been evinced in cases in which 
this kind of paralysis has resisted all known therapeutical agents ; 
and that, owing to the fugacious character of its operation, it ought to 
be administered at short intervals, in broken doses, and these long 
continued. 

M. Allier recommends, that it should be commenced in the quan- 
tity of a scruple, divided into six equal parts, that the dose should 
be afterwards raised to forty grains, and then gradually diminished 
to a scruple ; and afterwards discontinued by degrees in eight or 
ten days after the cure, to consolidate it. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The great difference that has been observed in the effects of the 
secale cornutum has led to the belief, that there must be much 
difference in the article, and that every care must be taken to have 
it good. Dr. Ryan, 2 indeed, affirms that not one druggist or 
chemist in a hundred has it genuine. 

It must be recently pulverised, too, if we.are desirous to count 
upon its action when given in this form. 3 

When prescribed with the view of augmenting the parturient 
energy, it is most commonly perhaps given in powder, in the dose 
of from ten to twenty grains, repeated every twenty minutes until 
the effect upon the uterus is elicited. Professor Von Busch 4 found 
the best results when it was given in the dose often grains at short 
intervals — from ten to fifteen minutes. In one case it was requi- 
site to repeat it eight times ; in four cases, six doses were sufficient ; 
in twelve, five; in thirty-three, four, and in the remainder of the 
one hundred and seventy-five cases, three and less; the smallest 
quantity exhibited was a single dose often grains; the largest, nine 

1 Journal des Connoisances Medico-Chirurgicales, Nov. 1838. 

2 Formulary, p. 264. 

3 Allier, Op. cit. 
* Op. cit. S. 106. 



346 dunglison's new remedies. 

doses often grains. Dr. Ryan 1 says the maximum dose is a dram 
and a half; but it, obviously, cannot be thus limited. 

Dr. Hooker, who considers, that the ecbolic and the narcotic 
properties of the ergot may be separated^ recommends, in these 
cases, the clear infusion, which possesses, he conceives, the former 
property only. The powder of course contains both. 

Dr. Bishop, of New Haven, 2 asserts, that he has never seen but 
once any unpleasant effects from the use of the ergot, and then 
he gave it in powder ; the labour was protracted and narcotism 
induced. In New Haven, he remarks, it is the general practice to 
administer the infusion, and in that form it is considered safe and 
effective in parturition. 

It is proper, however, to remark, that the form of infusion as 
well as of decoction was found by Dr. Jbrg to be highly un- 
pleasant to the stomach, and it could not be repeated in his 
experiments, which, it must be remembered, were not made on 
the parturient female — in large doses for any length of time, 
without irritating the bowels, producing loss of appetite, and 
general impairment of the digestive function. Notwithstanding 
this we believe both the infusion and decoction to be desirable 
forms of administration, in the cases under consideration. 

As to the form of tincture, Mr. Battley affirms, that spirit will not 
extract the active property, and Dr. Ryan 3 states, that he has 
certainly found the tincture to fail in the majority of cases. Mr. 
Battley prefers the watery extract. 

For the purpose of inducing premature labour, it has been neces- 
sary to give it in larger doses. Dr. Paterson 4 gave it in the form 
of the infusion below, until the patient took six drams of the 
medicine. The infusion was likewise given by Dr. F. Rams- 
botham, 5 and the quantity each of his patients took varied from two 
to twelve drams. 

When the secale cornutum is given with other views, the usual 
dose is 10 or 15 grains of the powder given three or four times a 
day; the results of the observations of Dr. Cottman 6 have shown 
however, that in 30 grain doses its sedative effects are more marked. 
This, too, was the dose in which it was administered by Dr. 
Hooker. In such cases, the tincture, and the light oil described by 
Dr. Hooker may also be prescribed: the latter in the dose of ten tp 
thirty drops. 

1 Op. cit. 

* American Medical Intelligencer, Dec. 15, 1837, p. 330. 
3 Op. cit. p. 266. 

* Lond. Med. Gaz., June 1. 1839, p. 333. 
6 Ibid, June 15, 1839, p. 421. 

* American Medical Intelligencer, Sept. 1, 1839, p .161. 



lnfunde. 



SECALE CORNUTUM. 347 

Infusum Secalis Cornuti. 
Infusion of Ergot. 

Secalis cornuti, gj. 
Aquae ferventis, ^iv. 



Dose. — One third, to be repeated every 15 or 20 minutes, in de- 
ficiency of uterine contractions. 

It. Secalis cornuti, ^ss. 
Aquae ferventis, gxxiv. 
Colaturae adde 

Syrup, simpl. £j. 

Dose. — Two ounces every three or four hours, to induce prema- 
ture labor. Paterson. 
#. Secalis cornuti, Jss. 
lnfunde per semihoram in 

Aquas bullientis, §iss. et cola. 

This quantity to be taken for a dose, and repeated every four 
hours. F. Ramsbotham. 

Decoctum Secalis Cornuti. 

Decoction of Ergot. 

5<. Secalis cornuti, ^j. 
Aquae, Oijss. 
Coque ad Oij. et cola. 

Dose. — A table-spoonful every quarter of an hour. 

Tinctura Secalis Cornuti. 

Tincture of Ergot. 

5<. Secalis cornuti, §ijss. 
Spirit, tenuioris, Oj. 
Macera per dies quatuordecim et cola. 

Dose. — Twenty mimims to two drams, two or three times a day, 
as a sedative agent. Guy's Hospital, j 

Pulveres Secalis Cornuti Compositi. 

Compound Powders of Ergot. 

(Antihemorrhagic Powders. — Ryan.) 

5<. Secalis cornuti, £ss. 

Pulv. cinnam. comp. 9ss. 
Sacch. purif. s>ss. 
M. et divide in chartulas x. 

Dose. — One every hour or every second or third hour in active 
hemorrhage from any outlet. In leucorrhoea and gleet, one may be 
given three or four times a day, and should they fail the following 
may be substituted. 



348 dunglison's new remedies. 

5<. Secalis cornuti, £)ij. 
Pulv. cubebar. §j. 
P. cinnam. c. £ss. 
Saccbar. purif. 3j. 
M. et divide in chartulas viij. 

Dose. — One, three or four times a day. Ryan. 



SOD.E CHLORIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Soda Chlorinata, Sodae Cbloruretum, Chloruretura Oxidi 
Sodii, Sodae Oxymurias, Natrum Chloratum, N. Chloricura, N. Oxymuriati- 
cum, Chloride of Soda, Hypochlorite of Soda, Labarraque's disinfecting 
Liquid ; Chloruret of Soda, Chlorite of Soda, Chlorinated Soda. 

French. — Chlorure de Soude, Chlorure d'Oxide de Sodium. 

German. — Chlornatron. 

This preparation resembles in almost all respects the chloride of 
lime. (See Calcis Chloridum p. 83.) Both it and the chloride of 
potassa were associated by Berthollet under the common name 
Eau de Javelle, or bleaching liquor, and it has of late generally 
received the name of Liqueur de Labarraque. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Labarraque 1 recommended it to be prepared directly by passing a 
current of chlorine into a solution of subcarbonate of soda. 

The following is the formula in the last London Pharmacopoeia 
for the Liquor Sodce Chlorinatm, the Liquor Sodce Chloridi, 
Aqua. Natri Oxymuriatici. German, Oxydirt-salzsaures Natronwas- 
ser, or Labarraque's disinfecting liquid. "Take of carbonate of 
soda, a pound ; distilled water forty-eight fluid ounces ; chloride of 
sodium, four ounces; binoxide of manganese, three ounces; sul- 
phuric acid, four ounces. Dissolve the carbonate of soda in two 
pints of the water; then put the chloride of sodium and binoxide 
of manganese, rubbed to powder, into a retort, and add to them the 
sulphuric acid, previously mixed with three fluid ounces of water, 
and cooled. Heat, and transmit the chlorine first through five fluid 
ounces of water, and afterwards into the solution of carbonate of 
soda above directed." 

When the solution of chloride of soda is properly prepared, it has 
a yellow colour, a sharp, saline, and astringent taste, and an 
odour of chlorine. By careful evaporation, it yields crystals which 
produce the original liquid when re-dissolved. When the solution 

1 Gazette de Sante, April 25, 1826. 



S0D/E CHLORIDUM. 349 

is exposed to air, and allowed to evaporate spontaneously, it gives 
out chlorine, and yields crystals of carbonate of soda. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

In its general remedial agency, the chloride of soda resembles the 
chloride of lime, and has been administered both internally and ex- 
ternally in the same cases. It is preferred, however, for internal, 
whilst the chloride of lime is generally chosen for external, use. 

By Bouillaud, Chomel and others it has been given, with ad- 
vantage, in typhous fevers ; and by Kretschmar, 2 Lalesque, Colson, 
and Gouzee 3 in intermittents : 4 ten cases are reported by the last 
named gentleman; in two, the intermittent yielded immediately; 
two others were cured after a slight return ; in one there were four 
attacks, gradually diminishing; in two cases, the severity of the 
paroxysms abated, but it was thought necessary to have recourse 
to the sulphate of quinine; in two others no effect was produced, 
and in one, the disease was aggravated. Gouzee infers, that these 
cases prove the febrifuge properties of the chloride of soda to be less 
marked that those of the sulphate of quinine, and, therefore, that it 
ought not to be trusted to, except in the slighter cases, and where 
the patients are easily susceptible of the effects of medicine, — as 
women and children. 

In like manner, it has been found useful in scrofulous affections, 
and in various diseases in which the chloride of lime has proved 
serviceable. See Calcis chloridum. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

From ten drops to a dram may be given internally for a dose, 
mixed with plain or sugared water. 

The form in which it was prescribed by Gouzee, in inter- 
mittents, was a mixture, composed of half a dram of the chloride 
to four ounces of distilled water. This was taken by spoonfuls 
during the apyrexia ; so that the last dose should be swallowed 
shortly before the next paroxysm was expected. The patients 
were restricted to their beds, or at least to their chambers. 
When applied externally, it is rarely used pure or diluted with 
so little as one half water, except in cases of asphyxia, and gan- 
grene, and for dressing old ulcers, &c. Most commonly it is diluted 
with five to ten parts of water, and in this strength is applied to 
ulcers of various kinds, burns, cutaneous diseases, &c. When 
used as a disinfecting a^ent, itjismost commonly diluted with ten, 
twenty or thirty times its weight of water. 

1 Faraday, Quarterly Journal of Science, N. S. ii. 84, cited by Brande, 
Dictionary of the Materia Medica, p. 508, Lond, 1839. 
* Venus, Grundriss der medicin. Receptirkunst, S. 67. Weimar, 1838. 
J Revue Medicale, Fevricr, 1836. 
4 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 334. 



350 dunglison's new remedies. 



SPILANTHUS OLERACEUS. 

Synonymes. — Spear-leaved Spilanthus. 
French. — Cresson de Para. 
German. — Falsche Fleckblume. 

This plant, which is a native of South America, being an annual 
of very rapid growth, succeeds well in the climate of the United 
States. A tincture of it has been much recommended in France 
and Germany, as an arcanum, in toothach. Of late, its preparation 
has become known. Riecke 1 terms it the Tinctura Spilanthi 
oleracei composita, (Paraguay — Roux, Paratinktnr.) It is pre- 
pared in the following manner. Take of the leaves and blossoms 
of the inula bifrons — a species of elecampane growing in Italy and 
the southern Pyrenees — one part ; the blossoms of the spilanthus 
oleraceus, obtained from South America, and from which the Drs. 
Bahi formerly made their elixir odontalgicum,., four parts ; roots 
of the anthemis pyrethrum, one part; alcohol at 33° (s. g. .863) 
eight parts. The solid matters are divided into small pieces, and 
with the alcohol are placed in a flask for digestion, which is closed ; 
the mixture is suffered to digest for a fortnight, at the expiration of 
which time it is filtered, and then preserved in closed vessels. 2 

This tincture is said to relieve toothach instantaneously, when 
applied to the gums and tooth, and Hufeland affirms, that multitu- 
dinous experiments in Berlin have proved its value. If the relief 
be transient, the application must be repeated. It contains nothing 
narcotic, or which can injure the teeth ; and consequently no 
unusual precaution is requisite in its use. 

Heyfelder, who often tried it, considered it very uncertain, — at 
first affording relief, but afterwards none at all. 



STRYCHNINA. 

Synonymes. — Strychninum, Strychnia, Strychna, Strychnine, Vauqueline. 
French. — Strychnine. 
German.— Stry chn in. 

This alkaloid was discovered by Pelletier and Caventou 3 in the 
mix vomica, St. Ignatius's bean, upas tieute, and in the wood of the 
strychnos colubrina ; and experiment has shown, that these sub- 
stances are indebted for their medicinal properties to it. 4 

1 Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 395. 

8 Journal de Pharmacie, ix. 586. 

s Annales de Chimie, Tom. viii. ix. & x. 

4 Magendie, in Annales de Chimie, x. 1 76, 1819. 



STRYCHNINA. 351 

In those different substances, strychnine is found associated with 
another principle analogous to it in its properties — brucine.' In the 
St. Ignatius's bean, there is less brucine than in the nux vomica, so 
that it is best adapted for the preparation of strychnine ; but it is not 
as easily obtained, and consequently the nux vomica is almost 
always — if not always — used. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

A solution of liquid subacetate of lead is added to a solution of 
the alcoholic extract of nux vomica in water, until a precipitate is 
no longer thrown down; the foreign matters being thus precipi- 
tated, the strychnine remains in solution with a portion of colouring 
matter, and sometimes an excess of acetate of lead. The lead is 
now separated by sulphuretted hydrogen ; and the fluid is filtered 
and boiled with magnesia, which unites with the acetic acid, and 
precipitates the strychnine. The precipitate is next washed in cold 
water, and re-dissolved in alcohol to separate it from the excess of 
magnesia, and by evaporating the alcohol, the strychnine is obtained. 
If it be not perfectly white, it must be re-dissolved in acetic or 
hydrochloric acid, and reprecipitated by means of magnesia. 

Strychnine, obtained by crystallisation from an alcoholic solution, 
which has been diluted by means of a small quantity of water, and 
left to itself, appears under the form of microscopic crystals, consti- 
tuting foursided prisms, terminated by pyramids with four flattened 
or depressed faces. When crystallised rapidly, it is white and 
granular, is insupportably bitter to the taste, and leaves an after 
taste similar to that caused by certain metallic salts; it has no 
smell, and is not changed by exposure to the air; is neither fusible 
nor volatile ; for, when subjected to the action of heat, it does not 
fuse until the moment of its decomposition and carbonisation, and 
it is decomposed by a degree of heat inferior to that which destroys 
most vegetable substances. When exposed to the naked fire, it 
swells, becomes black, and yields an empyreumatic oil, a little water, 
acetic acid, carbonic acid, and carburetted hydrogen. Distilled 
with deutoxide of copper, it gives out much carbonic acid, and only 
slight traces of azote. It is composed, therefore, of oxygen, hydro- 
gen and carbon. 

Although strychnine has so strong a taste, it is scarcely soluble 
in water. At 50° Fahr. 6667 parts of water dissolve but one of it; 
boiling water dissolves a little more than double, so that it may be 
said to be soluble in 2500 parts of boiling water. It is remarkable, 
however, that a solution, made in the cold, and containing, there- 
fore, only etfVtfth P art °f i [s weight, may be diluted 100 times, and 
still retain a very decidedly bitter taste. It is pretty soluble in 
strong alcohol, little so in weak, and not greatly so in ether or fixed 
oils, although they acquire a bitter taste from it. On the other 

1 See page 78. 



352 dunglison's new remedies. 

hand, it is very readily soluble in volatile oils, and the hot satu- 
rated solution, on cooling, deposits crystals. It has an alkaline 
reaction, and forms, with acids, salts which are mostly crystallisable, 
and insupportably bitter, and are more soluble than pure strych- 
nine. 1 

EFFECTS ON THE ANIMAL ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

The effects of strychnine on man and animals resemble, on the 
whole, those of the spirituous extract of nux vomica, except that they 
are more intense. According' to Magendie. one eighth of a grain is 
sufficient to kill a strong dog. Pope, who made experiments on 
dogs, found, that T Vth of a grain was enough to paralyse the lower 
limbs of a small dog in four or five minutes, and in half an hour to 
kill it. Ohristison 2 considers strychnine the strongest poison after 
the hydrocyanic acid. He injected a solution of a third of a grain 
in alcohol into the thorax of a wild boar, and in ten minutes the 
animal died. A dog was destroyed by jth of a grain in two 
minutes; and he believes that the same effect would be induced 
on a man by half a grain introduced into a wound. 

Lembert 3 observed similar results from placing a grain in the 
thorax of a small dog, and from three grains introduced into the 
cellular tissue of a larger animal, on which tetanic spasms were 
induced in the thoracic muscles. 

Mr. Blake 4 injected a grain of strychnine, dissolved in a small 
quantity of acetic acid, into the veins of a dog. The first effect of 
the poison was to induce general convulsions in about thirty 
seconds after its injection, the action of the heart being at the same 
time rendered irregular, which Mr. Blake presumes was owing to 
the convulsive struggles of the animal. All external signs of life 
ceased in about a minute and a half after the injection of the poison 
— the heart still continuing to beat. He found, that when strych- 
nine was introduced into the circulation in so small a quantity as 
not to produce any general symptoms, it did not appear to exert 
the least influence on the heart. 

That the action of strychnine is analogous to that of the nux 
vomica, has been proved by the experiments of Segalas, 5 Andral, 6 
Bardsley, 7 Redlich, Sandras, Liiders, Hennemann and numerous 
others. 8 It affects especially the spinal marrow and the ganglionic 
system, — less strikingly the brain ; small doses excite the gan- 

1 Magendie's Formulaire, &c. 

* Treatise on Poisons, 3d edit. Edinb. 1836. 

3 Essai sur la Methode endermique, Paris, 1828, 8vo. 

4 Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, Apl. 1S39, p. 338. 

6 Magendie's Journal de Physiologie, ii. 4. 
•Ibid, Juillet, 1S23. 

7 Hospital facts and observations, illustrative of the efficacy of strychnia, 
brucia, &c. Lond. ]830. 

8 Petrequin, Gazette Medicare de Paris, No. 44, Nov. 1838. 



STRYCHNINA. 353 

glionic system; larger, the spinal marrow; consequently, it has 
been properly imagined, that it might be an efficacious remedy in 
nervous diseases, which are dependent upon spasmodic disorder in 
the ganglionic system, or on diminished sensibility and torpor of 
the nerves of motion. 

The following are the effects observed by Oppler from the inter- 
nal use of the nitrate of strychnine: — a sensation of warmth and 
itching in the epigastrium; eructation; nausea; vertigo; slight 
excitement like that of intoxication ; great vividness, with more or 
less confusion of mind; dull pain over the eyes; spots before the 
same; dilatation of the pupils; diplopia; tinnitus aurium; difficult 
articulation and deglutition ; slight trismus; sense of formication in 
the paralysed parts; convulsive motions or twitchings, at times in 
those parts, at others over the whole body, similar to electric shocks ; 
tremors of the muscles; occasionally violent spasms; tetanus; 
asthma; palpitations; febrile heat ; general sweating ; prostration; 
pale or livid countenance; pulse, sometimes full and frequent, at 
others small and contracted ; great sensibility over the whole body; 
involuntary laughter, succeeded always by difficulty of breathing 
and convulsions. The sleep was generally interrupted by convul- 
sions ; the secretion of urine scanty, and occasionally suppressed. 
These symptoms came on gradually, and disappeared in the same 
manner, when the dose was moderate, in the course of some hours. 
Large doses induce death by a sudden shock to the nervous system ; 
smaller doses, when continued for a long time, may destroy by 
causing apoplexy, of which Oppler saw many examples in his 
experiments on animals. 1 

Dr. Blumhardt, of Stuttgart, 2 has published a case of poison- 
ing by strychnine, which occurred lo him in Stuttgart, and 
which is perhaps the only fatal case on record, of which we have 
the details. He was called to a young man, seventeen years old, 
who had swallowed two scruples of strychnine after his dinner. 
A short time afterwards, experiencing great restlessness, he repented 
of what he had done, and immediately took four grains of tartar 
emetic, which excited considerable vomiting. When the physician 
arrived, about a quarter of an hour after he had taken the strych- 
nine, he found the patient on his back in bed, with his head thrown 
back, rigid and incapable of motion, but with a constant inclination 
to turn towards the right side. He could only move the upper 
limbs freely. The countenance was pale and haggard ; the tem- 
perature of the skin natural, and the pulse quick and contracted. 
Consciousness remained unaffected ; the speech was rendered 
difficult by an occasional contraction of the muscles that move the 
lower jaw; but it could not properly be said to be interrupted; 
deglutition was untouched. The trismus, however, became more 

1 See, also, Tanquerel des Planches, Essai sur la Paralysie de Plomb. 
Paris. 1834. 

2 Medicinisch.Corresnondenz Blatt, in Encyclog. des Sciences Mcdicaleb, 
Sept. 1837. 

11— c dungVZZ 



354 dunglison's new remedies. 

and more frequent and violent, and the respiration thereby unequal 
and suspended; the pulse was small, suppressed and quick. The 
remedies — employed to save him — as the tincture of iodine and the 
acetate of morphine were of no avail. With the periodical trismus 
was now associated spasmodic agitation of the whole body, to 
which — after a short interval — succeeded opisthotonos with violent 
symptoms of suffocation ; the trismus attained the highest degree, 
and the upper extremities were deprived of the influence of volition. 
With the increase of the general tonic spasm, the respiration was 
always more difficult and oppressed, and for a time wholly ceased; 
the pulsation of the heart and arteries became irregular, less distinct 
and at length imperceptible. In this condition, the skin acquired 
a bluish appearance ; the countenance was puffed, and of a violet 
hue ; the lips dark blue, the neck swollen, the eyes protruded, fixed 
and directed towards the right side; the pupils enlarged, and 
immovable, and the conjunctiva injected. At this period, the 
patient was entirely unconscious ; but from this condition he awoke 
once, and all the symptoms became mitigated ; during this remis- 
sion, the muscles, influenced by the spinal marrow, remained 
cramped, except the upper extremities, which could be moved 
voluntarily. In a quarter of an hour, the tetanic attack returned 
in its violence, with intense commotion of the whole body; this 
ended in asphyxia, from which he again recovered to consciousness. 
The same thing happened in a third attack. In the fourth, he 
succumbed under the power of the poison. The whole scene from 
the taking of the poison to the occurrence of death lasted an hour 
and a half. 

During the last attack, as doubt existed whether he was really 
dead, the median vein of the left arm, which was turgid, was 
opened, and after the vessel was emptied of its thick, black blood, 
which resembled that of an animal, several bubbles of air, from the 
size of a pea to that of a small cherry, were forced out by pressure. 

The dissection was made twenty hours after death. In spite of 
the elevated summer heat, there were no signs of putrefaction ; the 
whole body was uncommonly rigid. The muscles of the back 
were of a brownish red colour, almost like that of smoked meat. 
On opening the spinal canal, a considerable quantity of thick, dark 
coloured blood, like that of an animal, flowed out. 

The plexus venosi spinales were turgid with the same kind of 
blood, as well as the vessels of the pia mater. Under this membrane, 
especially in the cervical portion, some watery fluid was effused. 
The upper portions of the spinal marrow were soft, even pappy in 
some places, but lower down it became gradually harder. Within 
the cavity of the cranium, the same turgid condition of vesselsexisted; 
all the veins of the dura mater appeared as if injected ; the veins of 
the pia mater were likewise engorged ; and the whole mass of the 
brain indicated an unusual supply of blood, so that the cortical 
substance appeared quite blue. The cerebellum was softer than 
usual. 



STRYCHNINA. 355 

poverty of blood was perceptible. The heart was shrunken and 
empty, as well as the large vessels of the thorax. The stomach was 
full of solid food, which appeared to have undergone no change: its 
blood vessels contained a considerable quantity of blood, and the 
mucous coat exhibited marked redness over its whole surface; but 
it was especially concentrated about the cardia and the fundus; the 
small intestine was likewise redder than natural, as is commonly 
the case in those who have died whilst digestion was going on. 

The liver was tolerably supplied with blood ; the gall bladder 
empty. 

When strychnine is used endermically, as is not unfrequently 
done, the course of the phenomena is somewhat different. G. H. 
Richter, employed it in this way in many cases of hemiplegia, in 
one of which it occasioned symptoms of actual poisoning. 

When the dose exceeded a quarter of a grain, a feeling arose in 
the part to which it was applied as if needles were run into the 
skin; this gradually spread over the whole limb; the temperature 
of the body was augmented; the pulse quickened, full and hard ; 
the breathing constrained ; pain was experienced in the same side 
of the head ; the secretion of urine was increased, and a general 
perspiration broke out, which persisted for about an hour, after 
which the pricking of the surface, and the excitement of the vessels 
ceased. To these symptoms — and seldom later than two hours after 
the application of the agent — convulsive movements succeeded in 
the paralysed limbs like those induced by electricity, which aug- 
mented in violence and frequency with the increase of the dose, 
being strongest and most severe during the night, at which time the 
limbs were moved involuntarily. When awake, a feeling of stiff- 
ness was experienced in all the limbs, which passed off when they 
were used. On digestion, defecation, and the appetite, the nitrate 
of strychnine seldom exerted any influence. Only in one case — 
in which no effects were induced on the nervous system, when the 
dose was gradually carried to three grains — was obstinate consti- 
pation produced. In general, when it was begun with in the dose 
of one-eighth of a grain, and on the next day one-fourth was given, 
on the third day one-half, and afterwards the dose was increased 
daily by the fourth of a grain, until one and a quarter was given, — 
the following unpleasant symptoms supervened. The patient expe- 
rienced twitchings earlier than before, and first in the paralysed 
limbs. As these, became, from minute to minute, more violent, a 
penetrating pain was felt in the occiput, with vertigo and tinnitus 
aurium. The twitchings now extended over the affected arm, 
and, subsequently, to the sound side, whereupon the vertigo and 
headach augmented, and insensibility, with difficult and stertorous 
breathing, ensued. The pulse now became very full, hard, slow, 
and intermitting; the countenance bluish red and turgid; the 
paialvsed lower extremities of a marbled blue; the pupils very 
much dilated and the mouth open : the convulsions being occasion- 
ally so strong as to toss him to and fro on the bed. When these 



356 dunglison's new remedies. 

phenomena declared themselves, Richter removed the dressing, 
from the surface, which appeared inflamed, and still contained a 
quantity of strychnine, that had not been absorbed; the parts were 
then washed, and sprinkled Immediately — according to Lembert's 
and Lesieur's recommendation — with two grains of the acetate of 
morphine ; the face was washed with cold water, the soles of the 
feet brushed, and other excitants administered. 1 

Morphine appears to be the most powerful antidote: under its use, 
the dangerous symptoms rapidly disappear, consciousness returns; 
the patient sleeps for some hours, and a general perspiration breaks 
out, after which he awakes with a feeling of dulness, and with 
stiffness of the limbs, which soon, however, vanish. In respect 
to the topical application of strychnine by the endermic method, A. 
L. Richter 2 remarks, that the preparations of strychnine produce 
much more powerful local effects than those of morphine ; they 
maintain the abraded portions of the skin in an inflamed state, 
promote suppuration more than the morphine, and occasion violent 
itching and burning, with a feeling as if needles were run into the 
skin. 

Artus recommends, from his investigations, pure baryta (Aetzba- 
ryt) as an antidote. It forms an insoluble precipitate with strych- 
nine, and he esteems it to be more certain than the tinctures of iodine 
and bromine recommended by Donne, 3 the muriate of baryta, or the 
infusions of tar and galls recommended by Raspail. 4 

The effects, referred to above, were chiefly obtained from the 
administration of the nitrate of strychnine, but they may be es- 
teemed applicable to all the preparations of strychnine, as we know 
nothing of any difference in their agency. It is probable, however, 
that the salts of strychnine, owing to their greater solubility, may 
have more action than the strychnine itself, although the muriatic 
and acetic acids, which are almost always present in the stomach, 
it might be presumed, would readily unite with it. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

The following remarks apply equally to the pure strychnine, and 
its salts, and to the alcoholic extract of mix vomica, to which the 
reader is referred, (see page 276.) It has been administered in 

1. Paralysis, especia'ly in that arising from the action of lead, in 
which Bally, Lembert, Bardsley, Andral, Rayer and Tanquerel, 5 
have employed it beneficially. In paraplegia and hemiplegia, it 
has been prescribed by Lesieur, G. H. Ritchter, Romberg, Bards- 

1 See some experiments, relative to the action of strychnine on the nervous 
system, by Dr. H. Stannius, in Mailer's Archiv. Heft. ii. 1837; and Brit, 
and For. Med. Review for Jan. 1838, p. 221. 

2 Die endermatische Methode, u. s. w. Berlin, 1835. 
8 Journal de Chimie Med. v. 494, Paris, 1829. 

4 Nouveau Systeme de Chimie organique. Paris, 1833. 
8 Gazette Medicale, pour 1835, p. 383. 



STRYCHNINA. 357 

ley, Bally, Lafaye, Oesterlen, Reinhardt, Heyfelder, Faye, Mart, 
Schaible, Raciborski, A. T. Thomson, 1 Gellie, 2 and numerous 
others. 3 

From the results of their observations it would seem, that strych- 
nine is most efficacious in paraplegia ; less so in hemiplegia, although 
it has often been given with advantage in the latter affection; but 
its administration in hemiplegia requires special circumspection, 
particularly when the paralysis has succeeded to apoplexy. 4 

Romberg affirms, that, as a general rule, in cases of paralysis 
dependent upon disease of the central organs of the nervous system, 
he has never seen any striking effect from the endermic use of 
strychnine, and that great care is needed lest it should react inju- 
riously on the brain. He considers it especially adapted for cases 
of paralysis, that are dependent upon some affection of the spinal 
marrow induced by mechanical concussion ; as well as for the local 
paralysis that succeeds rheumatism, suppressed exanthems, &c. 
Mr. Pereira 5 has seen it very serviceable in that shaking or trembling 
action of the muscles, which is produced by habitual intoxication. 
G. H. Richter cured a case of aphonia by it, and it has been much 
used, and successfully, in amblyopia and amaurosis, by Short. Liston, 
Guthrie, Middlemore, 6 Henderson, Mart, Petrequin 7 and others. In 
these cases, it is generally used endcrmically on the temporal region. 
Dr. Stevenson, 8 derived benefit from it — when applied in this way — 
in cases of amaurosis of many years' duration. Half a grain was 
repeated twice a day until tremors of the limbs were produced. He 
employed it in the same manner in other cases of local paralysis. 
In cases of amaurosis, Henderson advises, in addition, that a solu- 
tion of strychnine should be dropped into the eye. It has likewise 
been gfiven successfully in cases of paralysis of the bladder by 
Schaible, Bally, Hennernann, Behrend 8 and others, and in paralysis 
of the facial nerve. 9 

In high grades of paraplegia, the internal use of the remedy is 
to be preferred, but in general the endermic administration is more 
advisable. 

In paralysis of the limbs, a spot is selected in the vicinity of the 
spinal marrow. 

Strychnine is likewise given in other affections. Very favorable 
reports have been made as to its efficacy in 

' Lond. Med. Gaz. April, 1831. 
2 La Lancette Franchise, Aoiit 29, 1837. 
8 Petrequin, Gazette Medicale, Nov. 1S38. 

4 See Bally, Considerations sur la Strychnine, &c. in Bullet. General de 
Therapeutique, Fev. 1838. 

6 Medical Gazette, Vol. xix. 

8 Midland Medical and Surgical Reporter, May and August, 1831. 

7 Bulletin General de Therap. Juillet. 1838. 

8 Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Calcutta, Vol. v. 

9 Medicin. Zeitung, Sep. 1837. S. 190. 

10 Dr. O'Brien, Med. Chirurg. Review, and L'Experience, Nov. 1838. 



358 dunglison's new remedies. 

2. Neuralgia. Mart found it beneficial in tic douloureux and in 
nervous headach, and Magnus in a case of neuralgia of the arm. 

3. Traumatic tetanus. In this disease, it has been recommended 
by Liiders. 

4. In Hysteria, Hypochondriasis, and Dyspepsia? it lias been 
advised by Schmidtmann and Basedow, but morphine appears to 
render more essential service. 

5. In Chorea, Romberg saw good effects from it. It has 
likewise been advised in epilepsy' 1 and catalepsy. Fricke has 
administered it successfully in — 

6. Syphilitic Osteocopi. It has also been given with benefit in 
cases of 

7. Dysentery and Diarrhoea, 3 by Bardsley, 4 Recamier, Geddings, 
and others, and it has been used endermically in cholera, — two or 
three grains being applied to a blistered surface on the nape of the 
neck. By MM. Dreyfus, Grimaud d'Angers and Potton it was 
given internally in the same affection to allay vomiting: — a quar- 
ter to half a grain being added to three ounces of water and 
prescribed in the dose of a spoonful every hour. 5 Dr. Ryan, 6 
asserts, that he has repeatedly known a few of the pills — the for- 
mula for which is given below — check a profuse diarrhoea with rice 
coloured evacuations, and even when the extremities were blue in 
malignant cholera. 

Lastly. From its efficacy in analogous affections of the digestive 
mucous membrane, Dr. Stokes 7 thinks there is good reason to hope, 
that it may prove useful in bronchitis. It has been employed, 
indeed, in all the cases in which the alcoholic extract of nux 
vomica has been found of service, than which it is of course to be 
more relied upon, in consequence of its greater uniformity ; the nux 
vomica itself being often found unequal. (See page 278.) 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

Pure strychnine is best exhibited internally, in the form of pill, 
or in spirituous solution; but if a little acid, especially the acetic, be 
added to it, it may be given in watery solution, as in this way a 
salt of strychnine may be formed extemporaneously. The dose is 
from one sixteenth to one eighth of a grain, which may be gradu- 
ally increased until a grain is taken. In ordinary cases, it will be 
sufficient to raise the dose to half a grain, two or three times a day, 
but if any circumstance should arise to cause its discontinuance, it 

1 See, also, Dr. Melcombe, in Lond. Med. Gaz. for Mar. 4, 1837. p. 850. 

2 Brofferio, in Repertorio Medico-chir. di Torino, 1S25, and Revue Medi- 
cale, ivi 4S8, Paris, 1825. 

3 Op. cit. 

4 N. American Archives, No. 2, Nov. 1834. 

6 Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Med. Art. Strychnine. 

6 Formulary, 3d. Edit. p. 335, Lond. 1839. 

7 Treatise on diseases of the Chest, p. 125, Dublin 1837, and Araer. Med. 
Library Edit., Philad. 1838. 



STRYCHNINA. 359 

ought not to be recommenced in doses as large as the last, but with 
small doses, as at the beginning. In the endermic application of 
the remedy, we sprinkle, twice a day, a quarter of a grain on the 
denuded surface, and slowly increase the quantity to half a grain, 
should this be necessary. If the larger doses do not act more bene- 
ficially, if will be advisable to discontinue the remedy for a few 
days — after which the smaller doses may again exert a signal influ- 
ence — rather than to carry the dose still higher. 

Pilulce. Strychnines. 

Pills of Strychnine. 

5<. Strychnin, pur. gr. ij. 
Conserv. rosar. £ss. 
Divide in pilulas xxiv. 

Dose. — One to two, morning and evening. Magendie. 

S<. Strychnine, gr. j. 
Confect. ros. gss. 
Pulv. glycyrrhiz, 9ss. 
Divide in pilulas xij. 

Dose. — One, night and morning. The quantity may be increased 
to four or five daily. Ryan. 

Tinctnra Strychnines. 

?;. Strychnin, pur. gr. iij. 

Alcohol, 36° (.837) |j. M. 

Dose. — Six to twenty-four drops, twice or thrice a day. 

Magendie. 

Mistura Strychnines. 

(Potion Stimvlante.) 

Mixture of Strychnine. 

r>. Aq. destillat. ,^ij. 
Strychnin, gr. i. 
Sacch. alb. gij. 
Acid. acet. gtt. ij. M. 

Dose. — A dessert-spoonful, morning and evening. 

Magendie. 

Collyrium Strychninm. 

Collyrium of Strychnine. 

r>. Strychnin, gr. ij — iv — vj — viij. 
Acid. acet. dil. 
Aq. destillat. aa. §j. M. 

Two drops to be let fall into the eye, a few times a day, in 
amaurosis. Henderson. 



360 dungltson's new remedies. 



STRYCHNINE ACETAS. 

Synonymes. — Strychnium Aceticum, Acetate of Strychnine. 
German. — Essigsaures Strychnin. 

In addition to the acetate, formed extemporaneously, as mentioned 
under strychnine, the proper acetate of strychnine has been admi- 
nistered, especially by Luders and Fricke. It may be made, like 
the acetate of quinine, from the direct combination of the strych- 
nine with acetic acid. According to Thenard, it is very soluble, 
and crystallises with difficulty. Even when diluted 40,000 times, 
its solution occasions a sense of bitterness on the tongue. 

The following formulas have been given by the physicians cited. 

Guttce Acetatis Strychnines. 

Drops of Acetate of Strychnine. 

5<. Strychnin, acet. gr. iij. 
Alcohol. 3j. 
Aq. cinnam. sjvij. M. 

Dose. — Five drops, twice a day, gradually increasing the dose. 

LlJEDERS. 

Tinctura Acetatis Strychnines. 
Tincture of Acetate of Strychnine. 

5<. Strychnin, acet. gr. iss. 
Alcohol, 3ss. M. 

Dose. — From three or four, to twenty or thirty drops, to be taken 
at bed-time, in cases of syphilitic pains of the bones. FRtcKE. 



STRYCHNINE IODAS. 

Synonymes. — Strychnina Iodata, Strychnium Iodicum, Iodate of Strych- 
nine. 
German. — Iodsaures Strychnin, 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

The preparation of this salt, according to Magendie, is easy. It 
is sufficient to add a concentrated solution of iodic acid to powdered 
strychnine; in a moment the mass swells up, absorbs water, 
becomes thicker and at times very consistent. It is now treated 
with boiling alcohol, filtered, and left to spontaneous evaporation. 
In this way, beautiful crystals of iodate of strychnine are obtained. 
The iodic acid, proper for this preparation, is obtained, according to 



STRYCHNINE NITRAS. 361 

Geiger, in the following manner. Nine parts of the iodate of baryta 
are boiled with two parts of oil of vitriol, previously diluted with 
ten times as much water, for half an hour. It is then filtered, 
and evaporated by a gentle heat to the consistence of a thin syrup, 
and is exposed to the air for spontaneous evaporation. 

The iodate of strychnine may likewise be formed by double 
decomposition, by mixing a soluble iodate, as iodate of soda, with 
a solution of sulphate or muriate of strychnine. The iodate of 
strychnine is precipitated, which may be treated with boiling 
alcohol, and crystallised as above directed. 

The iodate is of a white colour, crystallises in beautiful prismatic 
needles : it is but slightly soluble in cold water, but more so in boil- 
ing water and alcohol. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

"This salt," says Magendie, "is one of the most active with 
which I am acquainted. A single grain is sufficient to destroy a 
strong dog under tetanic symptoms. It acts, likewise, powerfully on 
the diseased organism. I gave it to several persons with a success 
which far exceeded my expectations. It proved effectual in some 
old paraplegic affections, which had been esteemed incurable, and 
after all the usual remedies had been administered in vain." 

He gave it in pills, each of which contained one eighth of a 
grain. One of these was prescribed night and morning, and the 
dose was gradually increased, until ultimately a grain was taken 
in the twenty-four hours. The greatest circumspection was, how- 
ever, necessary in its use. 

Magendie is of opinion, that the hydriodate of strychnine might 
be advantageously introduced into medicine. It is prepared by 
mixing a solution of iodide of potassium with a concentrated solu- 
tion of acetate of strychnine : a white crystalline powder is precipi- 
tated, which is soluble in alcohol, and is the pure hydriodate of 
strychnine. 

It does not appear to have been as yet used in medicine. 



STRYCHNIN7E NITRAS. 

Synony.mes. — Strychniurn Nitricum, Nitrate of Strychnine. 
German.— Salpetersaures Strychnin. 

This preparation of strychnine has been more used in Germany 
than any other. It has been received into the Prussian ] harma- 
coposia, (Landcspharmakopoe,) where it is directed to bu prepared 
in the following manner: 



362 dunglison's new remedies. 

method of preparing. 

On eight pounds of nux vomica sixteen pounds of spirit of wine 
(Kornbranntwein) are poured, and the liquid is distilled to one half. 
The nux vomica is then freed from the liquor by filtering, is dried 
and reduced to coarse powder. This is digested two or three times 
with a sufficient quantity of the spirit, and after digestion it is 
strained. The tinctures are then subjected to distillation, and what 
remains is evaporated along with the fluid that remained after the 
boiling ; to this, acetate of lead, dissolved in a sufficient quantity of 
distilled water, is added so long as a precipitate falls. The fluid, 
separated as much as possible from the precipitate, by means of the 
filter, is now evaporated to one half, by a gentle heat. When cold, 
it is mixed with two ounces of calcined magnesia, and is suffered 
to stand for three days, when the deposit is separated by the aid 
of the filter, and is washed, and dried. This, after having been 
rubbed to powder, is digested two or three times in alcohol, and the 
tinctures are subjected to distillation, until only a few ounces 
remain. The strychnine, which, on cooling, appears in the retort 
in the form of a white powder, is separated by the filter, washed 
two or three times with rectified spirit of wine diluted with an equal 
quantity of common water, and is neutralised by a proper quan- 
tity of dilute nitric acid. The filtered fluid is evaporated by a 
gentle heat so as to allow the formation of crystals. These crystals 
are needle-shaped, colourless, of a silky splendour, and a very bitter 
taste; they are soluble with difficulty in alcohol, but dissolve in 
ether. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

The dose and mode of administering the nitrate of strychnine are 
the same as in the case of the pure strychnine. Its endermic appli- 
cation will sometimes succeed when the internal administration has 
been more limited in its results. The experiments instituted by 
Dr. Stannius, and others, and referred to in a former page (356,) 
were with the nitrate of strychnine. 

Magendie found, in his experiments, that this salt completely 
prevented the coagulation of the blood. 1 

1 Lecjonssur le Sang; and translation in Lond. Lancet, Jan. 26, 1839, p. 637. 



STRYCHNINE SULPHAS. 363 



STRYCHNINE SULPHAS. 



Synonymes.— Strychnium Sulphuricum, Sulphate of Strychnine. 
German. — Schwefelsaures Strychnin. 

The same effects have been observed from this preparation as 
from the others. It is also dispensed in the same forms and doses. 
It may be obtained by the simple union of strychnine with sulphuric 
acid. According to Pelletier, 1U0 parts of the alkaloid saturate 
10.486 of the acid. It is soluble in less than sixteen parts of cold 
water, and crystallises, when neutral, in transparent cubes ; when 
acid, in needles. Its taste is extraordinarily bitter. It is decom- 
posed by every soluble salifiable base. 



SULPHURIS CARBURETUM. 

Synonymes. — Sulphuretum Carbonii, Carboneum Sulphuratum, Alcohol Sul- 
phuris, Bisulphuretum Carbonii, Sulphuret of Carbon, Carburet of Sulphur. 

French. — Sulfure de Carbon, Carbure de Soufre, Soufre Carbure, Alcool 
de Soufre. 

German. — Schwefelalcohol, Schwefelkohlensloff, fliissiger Kohlenschwe- 
fel, Kohlensulfurid. 

The carburet of sulphur or sulphuret of carbon was discovered 
by Lampadius in the year 1796. It is a transparent and colourless 
fluid at the ordinary temperature, has a very penetrating and dis- 
agreeable odour; and a taste, cooling at first, but afterwards burn- 
ing, acrid, and somewhat aromatic. Its specific gravity is 1.263. 
It boils at 134° of Fahrenheit. It is not decomposed at the highest 
temperatures; but volatilises rapidly in the air, and burns readily. 
It is not soluble in water, but is so in alcohol, ether, and in the fixed 
and volatile oils. Water separates it immediately from those solu- 
tions. It unites intimately with the alkalies; but, of the acids, the 
aqua regia — which is a mixture of the nitric and muriatic acids — 
alone; lays hold of it. It dissolves potassa, camphor, sulphur, and 
phosphorus. Lampadius, in the first instance, regarded the sulphu- 
ret of carbon as a compound of sulphur and hydrogen; it is now, 
however, decided, that it consists of sulphur and carbon, — according 
to Vauquelin, in the proportion of 85 or 86 to 15 or 14 ; according 
to Berzelius, and Marcet, of 84.84 to 15.16. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

The following method is recommended by Mitscherlich :' 
1 Elemens de Chimie, traduits par M. B. Valerius, i. 156, Bruxelles, 1835 



364 dunglison's new remedies. 

The temperature, at which sulphur enters into ebullition is not 
sufficient to make the two substances combine, but if burning coals 
be placed in contact with vapours of sulphur, the combination lakes 
place immediately. With this view, a tube of porcelain may be 
used, or, what is better, one of cast iron, lined internally with a 
coat of clay by running it several times through a paste of clay and 
water, and heating the tube each time. In this manner, the crust 
of dry clay will become strong enough to prevent the sulphur from 
attacking the iron. 

The tube is then filled with strongly calcined coals, and is heated, 
to redness in an oblong furnace. One end of the tube is closed by 
a cork, and a small hole is made at the upper part of the tube, 
through which the sulphur is introduced, and which is closed by a 
plug. The other end, which has passed through the furnace, is 
likewise closed by a large cork, traversed by a glass tube. To 
make the stoppers close the tube hermetically, they are boiled with 
glue. The long glass tube passes into a large jar, through a hole 
in which it is adapted hermetically by means of a cork. The 
ordinary aperture of the jar is closed by a cork in which a tube is 
fitted hermetically, which passes through the window. At the 
bottom of the jar is contained a little water. The long tube, passing 
from the furnace to the jar, may be kept cool by water made to 
drop upon it, or by covering it with snow or ice. 

When the charcoal is heated to redness, small fragments of sul- 
phur are dropped in, from time to time, by means of the aperture 
before mentioned, which must be carefully closed each time after- 
wards. The sulphur, in melting, runs towards the hottest parts of 
the tube, to which a slight inclination has been given in placing it 
in the furnace. It enters into ebullition, and is transformed into 
sulphureous vapour, which, by passing over the hot coals, com- 
bines with them: the sulphuret of carbon, or carburet of sulphur 
formed, condenses in the long tube, from which it runs into the 
jar, and falls to the bottom of the water. As the coal always retains 
a little hydrogen, the sulphur likewise unites with it, to form a 
gaseous body, which is carried off by the tube passing through the 
window. 

The carburet of sulphur is preserved in well-stopped bottles, and 
is covered with about an inch of water, whence it can be best ob- 
tained for use by means of a small glass or ivory syringe. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The carburet of sulphur holds a place amongst the transient or 
diffusible stimulants. 1 Its most marked effects are said to consist 
in its " exciting the function of cutaneous transpiration to copious 
sweating ; increasing the secretion of urine, elevating the tempera- 

1 Wutzer, Journal de Chimie Med.; and Amer. Journ. Med. Sciences* 
Nov. 1831, p. 215. 



SULPHURIS CARBURETUM. 365 

ture of the body, quickening the pulse, and causing congestions 
towards the head and those parts of the body whose vitality 
may have been already somewhat augmented." 1 Its most striking 
agency is exhibited in the more active exercise of the functions of 
the skin. According to Mansfeld, it acts likewise as an emmena- 
gogue ; but, in this respect, probably only like similar excitants. 

On account of its great volatility, it produces on the skin the 
feeling of considerable cold. 

The discoverer of the carburet of sulphur first recommended it 
as a remedial agent. 3 He particularly advised it, both internally 
and externally, in rheumatic and gouty affections. In Freiberg, a 
mixture of one part of camphor, two of carburet of sulphur, and 
four of spirit of wine, is a very common external application in 
rheumatic pains. Kappe found decided advantage from it in gout 
and rheumatism, and Mansfeld and Wutzer, resting upon a series 
of observations, maintain, that in rheumatism unaccompanied by 
fever, or where the fever is slight, it exceeds every other remedy of 
the class. Dr. Otto, 3 of Copenhagen, prescribes four drops of a mix- 
ture composed of one part of the carburet of sulphur, and four parts 
of highly rectified spirit of wine, to be taken every two hours: and 
he directs the affected parts to be rubbed with an embrocation, com- 
posed of one part of the sulphuret of carbon, and four parts of olive 
oil. The cure, he states, was ordinarily effected in from eight to 
fifteen days. In deep-rooted dyscrasies, however, these gentlemen 
found no advantage" from it. On the other hand, in trials at 
the Berlin Charity, it was found to be of no avail in chronic rheu- 
matism, although it was used for a long time, and given in by no 
means small doses. 

Mansfeld, also, employed it in cases of after-pains, rubbed, with- 
out admixture, on the abdomen ; and he affirms, that good effects 
resulted from it, even when the secale cornutum had failed. 

In hysteric fainting, the same gentleman found it very useful 
when internally exhibited. Lampadius, likewise, recommended it 
in fainting, as well as in asphyxia. Krimer found it extremely 
efficacious in asphyxia from carbonic acid, but he frequently 
thought it necessary to premise blood-letting. In this way, he 
treated eleven cases; and only one case — in which apoplexy had 
already supervened — terminated fatally. The same physician ex- 
hibited it in some cases of drunkenness, attended with loss of con- 
sciousness, and found its effects very beneficial. He gave it with 
great advantage once in a case of goitre; and, in incarcerated 
hernia, no agent, he says, facilitates so much the taxis as the cold 
produced by dropping the carburet of sulphur on the tumour. 

1 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 109. 

2 Luinpatlius, in Bulletin des Sciences Medicales de Ferussac, xi. 315. 

3 Annates de Chernie Medicale, and Amer. Journal of the Med. Sciences, 
for Nov. 1836, p. 222. 



366 dunglison's new remedies. 

Lampadins found, that slight burns were instantaneously cured by- 
it. Clarus recommends it in hypertrophy of the coats of the sto- 
mach, and in contraction of the oesophagus — administered ac- 
cording to the formula given below. Every thing, indeed, says 
Riecke, encourages the further trial of the sulphuret as a remedial 
agent. 1 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Internally, the carburet of sulphur may be given in doses of from 
one drop to four, every five or ten minutes, in cases of fainting and 
asphyxia ; but where such a rapid analeptic agency is not de- 
manded, it may be given every two or three hours. It may be 
administered dropped on sugar, or in a spoonful of sugared water 
or barley water. Clarus thinks it is best given in cow's milk. 

Externally, it is either applied pure, when a rapid development 
of cold is needed — as in cases of burns and incarcerated hernia — or 
dissolved in alcohol or oil. 

Gattce Sidphiiris Carbureti. 

Drops of Carburet of Sulphur. 

5<. Sulphur, carbur. gij. 
iEther. sulphur. ,§j. M. 

Dose. — A few drops on sugar. Lampadius. 

B=. Sulphur, carbur. 3j. 

Sp. vini rectif. ^ss. M. 

Dose. — Four to six drops, every two hours, in cases of rheu- 
matism. Wutzer. 
£. Sulphur, carbur. 3j. 
Sp. virj. rectif. 31J. M. 

Dose. — Five, ten, or fifteen drops, three times a day, in cases of 
rheumatism. Wutzer. 

Mistura Sulphvris Carbureti. 
Mixture of Carburet of Sulphur. 

5<. Sulphur, carbur. 9j. 
Lact. vaccin. 5vj. 
Sacch. alb. ^ij. M. 

Dose. — A table-spoonful, four times a day, or oftener. Clarus. 

Embrocatio Sulphuris Carbureti. 
Embrocation of Carburet of Sulphur. 
£. Sulphur, carbur. ^ss. 

Olei amygd. dulc. ^j. M. 
To be rubbed in, in cases of old gouty nodes. 

Mansfeld and Otto. 2 

1 Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 110. 

2 Bibliothek for Laeger, 1835, and Biit. and For. Med. Review, July, 1836, 
p. 252. 



SULPHURIS IODIDUM. 367 

£. Sulphur, carbur. ^ij. 

01. oliv. 
seu Linim. ammon. camphor. §ij. M. 

To be rubbed in, in cases of rheumatism. Wutzer. 

£. Camphor. £ij. 
Solve ia 

Sulphur, carbur. Iss. 
Adde 

Sp. vini rectif. £j. M. 

To be used in friction, in cases of rheumatism, and especially in 
rheumatic odontalgia. 



SULPHURIS IODIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Sulphuris Ioduretum. Sulphuris Iodatum, Ioduret, or Iodide of 

Sulphur. 
French. — Soufre Iodure, Iodure de Soufre. 
German.— Iodschwefel. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

The iodide of sulphur, first described by Gay Lussac, and to 
which brief allusion has already been made, (p. 258,) crystallises 
in needles, eagerly attracts water, and is thereby readily decom- 
posed. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Biett has exhibited this agent in squamous, pustular, and papular 
diseases of the skit). It has been found especially effective in 
psoriasis, in the form of frictions. Patients, who had been long 
affected with diseases of this kind, which had resisted every other 
remedy, were cured in four or five months by the iodide of sulphur 
alone. To prevent relapses, Biett advises that the frictions should 
be continued after the eruptions have scaled off. He found it 
equally efficacious in the lepra vulgaris of Willan ; and in acne — 
the gutta rosacea of Alibert — when the inflammation of the skin 
had passed away. Even the acne indurata was often completely 
cured by it. He found it also beneficial in inveterate porrigo of the 
scalp. 1 At times, after the rubbing, a diffuse red inflammation of 
the skin arises, with subsequent desquamation ; and, in particular 
cases, the inflammation extends even to the subjacent cellular 

1 Cazenave et Schedel, Maladies de la Peau, p. 219; and Cogswell on 
Iodine, p. 120, Edinb. 1837. See, also, page 25S of this volume. 



368 dunglison's new remedies. 

membrane. In old standing lepra, Rayer 1 prefers it for external 
use to calomel and white precipitate, and he ranks it highly with 
the iodides of mercury, for the cure of lupus non exedens ; and by 
Dr. Volmar 2 it has been used, with great success, in herpes pustu- 
losis labialis. 

The iodide of sulphur is likewise extolled by Lugol as a very 
active therapeutical agent. Cless affirms, that in chronic squamous 
affections of the skin, especially in psoriasis, he has employed it 
with advantage, but he was not able to cure lepra vulgaris with it. 
The inhalation of the vapour of this substance has been employed 
in humoral asthma, by Dr. Copland, 3 with temporary advantage. 

For its farther uses, see page 258. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Magendie gives formulae for the ointments used by Biett. One 
contains five parts of iodide of sulphur, to ninety-six parts of lard; 
another eight parts of the iodide to one hundred and forty-four parts 
of lard. In porrigo of the scalp, Biett advises an ointment of from 
one to five scruples of the iodide to eleven pounds of lard, of which 
a dram is used at each time of rubbing:. 



TANNICUM purum. 

Synonymes — Tanninum, Principium Adstringens, P. Scytodephicum, Tan- 
nin. 
German. — Tannin, Gerbestoff, Gerbsaure. 

This article, in its pure state, has been subjected to experiment 
very recently only. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to Buchner, 4 Tannin should be prepared for medical 
use in the following manner. 

From eight to twelve parts of hot water must be poured on one 
part of powdered galls, and the mixture be allowed to digest for an 
hour, frequently agitating it. The infusion must then be filtered, 

1 Diseases of the Skin, p. 634. 

2 Die neuesten Entdeckung. in d. Mat. Med.; cited by Pereira, Elements 
of Materia Medica, Pt. i. p. 270. Lond. 1839. 

3 Diet, of Practical Medicine, Art. Asthma. 

* Repertorium,B. xxxiv, H. 3, also, A. W. Buchner, Neueste Entdeckung. 
ilber die Gerbsaure, u. s. w. Frankf. 1833, and Dierbach, in Heidelberger 
klinische Annalen, B. x. H. 3, S. 339, Heidelb. 1834. 



TANNICUM PURUM. 369 

and the residue be again treated in the same manner with a little 
hot water. The different infusions, which generally pass through 
the filter turbid, must be mixed together, and a little dilute sulphuric 
acid be added by drops, constantly shaking the mixture, so long as 
any precipitate of tannin follows. The tannin is deposited, in this 
way, very soon in a collected yellowish white, gelatiniform mass, 
which by the influence of air gradually assumes a brown colour. 

After the fluid is poured off, the residue is washed twice with 
cold water acidulated with sulphuric acid ; carbonate of baryta, or 
carbonate of potassa, is then added to it in small portions, carefully 
shaking the mixture, until there is no farther effervescence, and until 
a portion of the mass dissolved in water and tested by muriate of 
baryta affords no more evidence of the presence of sulphuric acid. 
The yet moist mass is then put into a retort with alcohol of about 
ninety per cent., which is added repeatedly in small portions ; the 
alcohol is made to boil, to dissolve the tannin and separate it from 
the sulphate of baryta or sulphate of lime; the alcoholic solution 
is then poured off clear, and by a gentle heat evaporated to dryness. 

Tannin, prepared in this manner, is friable, resinoid, almost as 
shining as glass, of a pale yellow colour, translucent, reducible, by 
rubbing, to a white powder, of an astringent taste, soluble in water, 
alcohol and ether, reddening litmus paper, and forming salts with a 
base, like an acid. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Tannin is a strong astringent, 1 which has hitherto been mainly 
used in uterine hemorrhage, and especially by the Italian physi- 
cians. Porta 2 was, perhaps, the first who tried it. He found it very 
efficacious in cases of uterine hemorrhage not dependent upon any 
organic mischief in the uterus. It exhibits its powers, according to 
him, even in small doses — as of two grains, and is well borne by the 
stomach. Ferrario, 3 likewise administered it with advantage in the 
same affection, but he does not consider it adapted for cases in which 
either partial or general plethora, or local excitement of the uterus, 
or any organic disease, exists : it is indicated only where pure atony 
is present. He gives it in the form of powder or pill, in two grain 
doses, six times a day. The effect, according to him, is generally 
good: the hemorrhage diminishes and soon ceases, and, at the same 
time, the strength augments, and recovery succeeds, without any 
disturbance of the functions. Giadorow 4 details two cases of 
diabetes cured by it, when given in combination with opium, as in 
the prescription at the end of the article. The first patient was 
cured in ten ; the second in twelve days. 

1 See, on the action of this agent, Mitschorlich, Medicinische Zeitung, No. 
43, 1833. and Bullet. General de Therap. Mars 30, 1837. 

2 Delpech, Memorial des HOpitaux du Midi. &c. Fevrier, 1829, p. 51. 

8 Annali universali di Medicina, Gennajo, 1829. 

4 Annali universali di Medicina, and Gazette Medicale, Sep. 15, 1832. 

1 1— d dungl 24 



370 dunglison's new remedies. 

According to Ricci, 1 tannin has frequently been employed in 
Italy both in internal and external hemorrhages. On the other 
hand, G. A. Richter 2 affirms, that he has given it in habitual metror- 
rhagia without any advantage whatever. Within the last year or two, 
M. Cavarra 3 has instituted many experiments on animals, as well 
as on himself, from which he concludes, that when tannin is placed 
in contact with certain parts of the living economy, it exerts upon 
them the same chemico-vital action, which it does on an inert 
organic tissue, or, in other words, it tans them as it tans leather. 
" These parts," he says, " are the mucous membranes of the urethra, 
vagina, intestines and lungs. The action of the tannin appears to 
be, to cause such a condensation or contraction in them, that the 
glands with which they are studded no longer afford passage for the 
mucus which they secrete." 

M. Cavarra, asserts, that he has proved these positions by nume- 
rous experiments and demonstrations. When tannin is taken inter- 
nally, its immediate effect is constipation, by arresting the secretion 
from the mucous membrane. When it has reached the stomach, it 
is absorbed, and carried into the current of the circulation. There 
exists between this organ and the vagina, the urethra, and the 
lungs no communication except through the circulatory system, and, 
consequently, the tannin — it is fair to presume — must be absorbed 
to cure leucorrhaea, gonorrhoea, and the most obstinate chronic 
catarrhs. M. Cavarra concludes, that of all the effects of tannin, 
two of the most surprising are, the cures operated by it in cases of 
the most obstinate nervous coughs, and the excellent action it exerts 
in phthisis. Farther experiments are, however, demanded before 
this last point can be admitted. From our knowledge of the pro- 
perties of tannin, it is not easy to see how it, or any other astringent, 
can be of much service in the latter malady. 

According to Hiiter, tannin prepared from dried galls, in the form 
of ointment or diluted with distilled water, is very serviceable in 
most cases of Egyptian ophthalmia. In the hyperemesis, induced 
by ipecacuanha or emetine, it may be administered as an antidote. 
According to the experiments of Magendie, 4 tannic acid is one 
of the substances that oppose the coagulation of the blood. 

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING. 

It may be given in the form of pill, or draught, or as a lavement, 
and in the dose of from a quarter of a grain to two grains, without 

1 Bulletin des Sciences Medicales, Sept. 1828. 

2 Arzneimittellehre, Supplement, p. 60, also Cavalier, in Archiv. Generates 
xix. 589. 

* Bulletin de l'Academie Royale de Medecine, Janvier, 1837; also, 
Dunglison's Medical Intelligencer, Oct. 16, 1837, p. 258, and Bulletin Gene- 
ral de Therapeutique, Mars 30, 1837. 

* London Lancet, Jan. 26, 1839, p. 636. 



TANNICUM PURUM. 371 

producing any unpleasant constipation, but its effects must be 
observed with care. 1 

Injectio Tannici. 

Injection of Tannin. 

£. Vin. rubr. §vj. 

Tannic, gr. xx. M. 

Given in chronic blennorrhea or what is called, an old gleet. 2 

Ricord. 

Pomatum Tannici. 

Pomatum of Tannin. 

(Liparole de Tannin.) 

fy. Adipis Suill. Jxij. 
Tannic, £ij. 
Aquae pur. gij. 

Dissolve the tannin in the water, by triturating them in a glass 
mortar ; add the fat and mix. 3 Beral. 

Lotio Tannici. 

Lotion of Tannin. 

{Hydrolotif de Tannin, pour Purethre.) 

&. Aquae destillat. ^viij. 

Tannic, gr. xxxij. Solve. 

Employed in obstinate blennorrhea. Beral. 

Pilulm Tannici. 

Pills of Tannin. 

g<. Tannic, in pulv. gr. vj. 
Gum acac. in pulv. gr. xij. 
Sacchar. pulv. gr. lxxij. 
Syrup, q. s. ut fiat massa in pilulas pond. gr. iv. sing. 

Dose. — One to four, morning and evening, where an astringent 
is needed. Cavarra. 

Pulveres Tannici et Opii. 
Powders of Tannin and Opium. 

5<. Tannic. 9ij. 

Pulv. opii. gr. £. Misce et divide in pulveres tres. 

Dose. — One, morning, noon and night; gradually increasing the 
quantity of tannin to four scruples daily, Giadorow. 

1 Cavarra, in Bulletin General de Therapeutique, Mars. 30, 1837. 

8 La Lancette Francaise,No. 33, Paris, 1838. 

3 Bulletin General de Therapeutique, Janvier, 1838. 



372 



DUNGLISON S NEW REMEDIES. 



THUYA OCCIDENTALS (FOLIA.) 

Synonymes. — Thuya, American Arbor vilae. 
French. — Thuya du Canada, Cedre blanc. 
German. — Blatter des gemeinen Lebensbaumes. 

The leaves of the thuya — of the natural family coniferas ; — 
sexual system, monoecia monadelphia, have been long used as an 
article of the Materia Medica 1 , but they had of late fallen into 
oblivion until the Homceopathists restored them to notice. 

Hahnemann advises that condylomata should be touched with 
the expressed juice, and Jahn in his homoeopathic experiments 
found it was not unworthy the attention of experimenters. In two 
cases in which several celebrated agents had been fruitlessly em- 
ployed, he applied the juice of the thuya with apparent advantage: 
he does not, however, consider those cases to be decisive, as the 
patient had taken mercury for a long time, and perhaps the effects 
began only to be evident, whilst the thuya was administered. 

Fricke likewise made trial of it, as well as of the tinctura 
thuyce, which he formed of five parts of spirit of wine, and one part 
of the juice ; but his trials were not favourable. Even in a dilute 
form, the tincture acted so powerfully as an excitant, on the parts 
surrounding the condylomata, that it could not be continued, but 
after three, four or six weeks' use, was obliged to be put aside, and 
other approved remedies substituted for it. Generally, in the course 
of a few days, the parts of the skin, surrounding the condylomata, 
became sore and very painful, and the condylomata either remained 
as before, or began to increase in size ; in a few cases only did they 
disappear under the use of the dilute tincture, and then more slowly 
than Fricke had noticed from other agents. 

The testimony of Dr. Kohler, of Warsaw, is, however, entirely 
opposite. For five years, he says, the tincture of thuya was em- 
ployed by many physicians of that city, both in hospital and private 
practice, and with the most decided success. Riecke, 2 too, affirms, 
that in the year 1831 he had treated a great number of patients 
with it, always with the best effect ; and without the occurrence of 
a relapse, or the least sign of inflammation, excoriation or other 
inconveniences supervening. It was commonly but necessary to 
apply the remedy for a fortnight or three weeks, in order that the 
removal of every condylomatous growth should be effected. In the 
generality of cases, the internal use of mercury was conjoined, but 
even where the external employment of the thuya was alone had 
recourse to, the result was entirely satisfactory. Riecke not only 
touched the condylomata with the tincture, but kept constantly 
applied to them lint dipped in it, and without the supervention of 
any unpleasant consequences. 

'Wood and Bache's Dispensatory, 4th edit. Philad. 1839. 
2 Die neuern Arzneimittel, S. 394. 



UREA. 373 

Tt would seem to be probable, from these discordant results, that 
there must have been some difference in the preparation. The 
following form was used by Riecke : 

3<. Folior thuyae Occident, f i. 
Contunde et tere in mortario vitreo affundendo sensim sensimque spiritus 
vini ffiss. Massam immitte in cucurbitam vitream ; digere per aliquot dies, 
dein cola et serva. 1 

Riecke remarks, that he never found it necessary to dilute this 
tincture. 



UREA. 



Synonymes. — Urieum, Nephrine. 

French. — Uree, Extrait savonneux de Purine. 

German. — Harnstoff. 

This immediate principle of the urine of men and quadrupeds 
was discovered in an impure state by Rouelle, in 1773 ; and since 
then it has been studied by Cruikshanks, Fourcroy and Vauquelin, 
Berzelius and Proust more especially, — by the last of whom it was 
obtained pure. 2 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

Urea is obtained by placing a mixture of equal volumes of urine, 
reduced to the consistence of syrup, and nitric acid at 20° in a 
refrigerative bath ; by which means the crystallised nitrate of urea 
is precipitated. On decomposing this — washed in the cold and 
dissolved in water — by carbonate of potassa, reducing it almost to 
dryness, and treating the residue by alcohol at 40°, which takes up 
the urea, crystals may be obtained by evaporation, which may 
subsequently be procured colourless by the agency of animal char- 
coal. 

M. Henry, 3 who was not satisfied with the scanty product yielded 
by this process, recommends the following: Add to fresh urine a 
slight excess of subacetate of lead; a precipitate is thus formed, 
which consists of oxide of lead united to the various acids of the 
urine, together with the mucus, and a great part of the animal mat- 

1 " Take of the leaves of the thuya occidentalis, an ounce; bruise and rub 
in a glass mortar, gradually adding of spirit of wine, half a pint ; put the 
mass into a glass cucurbit ; digest for some days ; then filter and keep for use." 

* Annales de Chimie et de Physique, x. 369, and Merat & De Lens, Art. 
Uree. 

3 Journal de Pharmacie, xi. 161, Paris, 1829. 



374 dungltson's new remedies. 

ter ; the decanted liquid is then treated with sulphuric acid in slight 
excess to separate the lead, and afterwards, in the progress of the 
evaporation, to decompose the acids of soda and lime, that may 
have been formed. After having separated the white precipitate, 
concentrate rapidly over a steady fire, adding a portion of animal 
charcoal daring the ebullition. When the whole has become a clear 
syrup, pass it through linen of close texture, and then reduce it 
one third by evaporation. On cooling, the liquid is converted into 
a yellow mass, crystallised in needles, formed of a great proportion 
of urea and some salts. The crystals being drained and pressed are 
added to those obtained from the mother waters treated in a similar 
manner. They are next treated with a very small quantity of car- 
bonate of soda, with the view of separating any remaining acetate 
of lime, and then digested in alcohol of 38° to 40°. The alcoholic 
solution being filtered, and the alcohol separated by distillation, the 
urea remains, which may be crystallised afresh from water, if 
necessary. 1 

Urea, as thus obtained, is in silky or prismatic needles, very 
soluble, and of a cooling taste. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The experiments of M. Segalas have established, that urea is 
devoid of any noxious action on animals into whose veins it has 
been injected, and, consequently, that we cannot ascribe the serious 
symptoms to it, which arise from the absorption of urine in certain 
morbid cases. They demonstrate farther, what has been confirmed 
by the trials of Fouquier, that urea is a diuretic, and, therefore, 
might be useful in dropsy: the latter gentleman employed it, also, 
but unsuccessfully in diabetes. 2 According to the author's friend, 
M. Fee, 3 urea is received into the lists of the materia medica in the 
Batavian Pharmacopoeia, and in some others less known. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Urea has been given in solution in distilled water, sweetened, 
in the dose of twenty-four to thirty grains, and even as high as 
several drams in the day. 

1 Manual of Materia Medica and Pharmacy ; by MM. H. M. Edwards and 
P. Vavasseur, p. 231, Philad. 1829. 

2 Journal de Physiol, de Magendie, ii. 344, & Formulaire pour la Prepaia 
lion, &c. de plusieurs nouveaux Medicamens. 

s Cours d'Hist. Naturelle Phann. ii. 764: cited in Merat & De Lens, 
Diet, de Mat. Med. Art., Uree. 



VERATRINA. 375 



VERATRINA. 

Synonymes.— Veratria, Veratrinum, Veratrine. 

French. — Veratrine. 

German. — Veratrine, Sabadillin. 

This alkaloid, which was discovered in 1819, by MM. Pelletier 
and Caventou, 1 and almost at the same time by Meissner, 2 is com- 
monly prepared from the seeds of the veratrum sabadilla. It is 
contained in several of the plants belonging to the family Colchi- 
caceae. 

METHOD OP PREPARING. 

The seeds of the veratrum sabadilla are repeatedly treated with 
boiling alcohol. These tinctures, filtered when almost boiling, 
allow whitish flakes of wax to be deposited on cooling ; the dis- 
solved matters, brought to the consistence of an extract, are now 
dissolved in cold water, and filtered, whereby a small quantity of 
fatty matter remains on the filter. The solution is then slowly 
evaporated, when a yellowish orange-coloured precipitate is formed, 
which possesses the characters of the colouring matter found in 
almost all woody vegetables. On adding a solution of acetate of 
lead to the still deeply coloured liquid, a new and very abundant 
yellow precipitate is thrown down, which can be separated by 
means of the filter. The liquor, now nearly colourless, contains, 
besides other substances, acetate of lead, which had been added in 
excess; this is separated by means of a stream of sulphuretted 
hydrogen : the liquor is then filtered, and concentrated by evapora- 
tion ; treated by magnesia, and again filtered. The magnesian 
precipitate is digested in boiling alcohol, and on evaporating the 
alcoholic liquors, a pulverulent, extremely acrid matter is obtained, 
which possesses all the properties of the alkalies. It appears at 
first yellowish ; but, by solutions in alcohol, and subsequent pre- 
cipitations, caused by pouring water into the alcoholic solutions, it 
is obtained in the form of a very white and perfectly inodorous 
powder. 3 

Veratrine is scarcely at all soluble in cold water; but boiling 
water dissolves one-thousandth part of its weight, and becomes 
sensibly acrid. It is very soluble in ether, and still more so in 
alcohol. It is not soluble in alkalies, but is so in all the vegetable 

1 Annalcs de Chimie et de Physique, xiv. GO. 

2 Colbert's Annalen der Physik, lxv. 335. 

3 Magen die's Formulaire pour la Preparation, &c. de plusieurs nouveaux 
Mcdicamens. Veratrine has been received into the London Pharmacopoeia. 
See Brande's Diet, of Mat. Med. p. 46S. London, 1839. 

For M. Righini's method of obtaining what M. Soubeiran calls "medi- 
cinal veratrine," see Journal de Pharmacie, Oct. 1837. 



376 dunglison's new remedies. 

acids : with these it forms uncrystallisable salts, which, on evapo- 
ration, present the appearance of gum. The sulphate alone affords 
rudiments of crystals, when its acid is in excess. Nitric acid com- 
bines with it ; but, if added in excess, it does not colour it red, as 
in the case of morphine, brucine, and impure strychnine, but very 
rapidly resolves the vegetable substance into its elements, and 
gives rise to a yellow detonating matter. 

Veratrine has an alkaline reaction. When exposed to heat, it 
liquefies at a temperature of 122° Fahrenheit, and has then a waxy- 
appearance. On cooling, it forms a translucent mass, having the 
appearance of amber. When distilled on the naked fire, it swells 
up, is decomposed, and forms water, much oil, and leaves behind 
a bulky coal. The taste of veratrine is very acrid, but without 
bitterness. 

Of late, new light has been thrown on veratrine by the investi- 
gations of Couerbe. According to him, when prepared in the 
mode above mentioned, it still contains several other substances, 
sabadillin, veratri?i, gum resin of the sabadilla, and a black, 
greasy substance, which unites the other matters, and conceals 
their properties. The following is the form given by Couerbe for 
obtaining veratrine in its greatest purity : — 

Sabadilla seeds are treated with boiling alcohol at 36° (.847) and 
after they have been exhausted in this manner, the liquor is distilled 
to obtain the extract, which contains a greenish fatty matter in 
great quantity. This extract is treated with dilute sulphuric acid, 
and the solution is suffered to boil a few minutes, when it is filtered. 
In this manner, the veratrine, sabadillin, the gum resin, and the 
brown colouring matter are dissolved ; and, by precipitation with 
potassa, all these matters are obtained. It is sufficient to treat the 
precipitate again with alcohol, and distil it, in order to obtain the 
impure veratrine, which is subjected to purification, by being dis- 
solved afresh in dilute sulphuric acid, precipitated by an alkali, 
and dried. In this manner, a delicate white powder is obtained, 
of very acrid taste, with an alkaline reaction, uniting with acids 
without forming crystals, — in short, the veratrine of authors, in its 
greatest purity. 

In order to separate the substances newly discovered by Couerbe, 
the veratrine must be dissolved in water acidulated by sulphuric 
acid, and to the solution nitric acid is added by drops, so long as 
there is a precipitation of very tenacious matter — the black greasy 
substance above mentioned. The fluid is then decanted ; preci- 
pitated by potassa or ammonia, and the precipitate washed with 
cold water. It is then treated with alcohol, to separate any in- 
organic salts which it may contain ; the alcohol is next evaporated, 
when a matter — in appearance resinoid — is obtained, which con- 
tains all the above-mentioned constituents of the common or im- 
pure veratrine, with the exception of the dark greasy matter which 
was separated by the nitric acid. 



VERATRINA. 377 

By means of boiling- water, two of the constituents are sepa- 
rated — the sabadillin and the gum resin : the first crystallises from 
the liquid on cooling - , and the second is procured by suffering the 
mother waters of the sabadillin to evaporate in vacuo, or by a 
gentle heat, to dryness. The water has left two other matters un- 
dissolved, the pure veratrine and the veratrin. By treatment with 
ether, which dissolves the former, they may be separated : the vera- 
trin remains undissolved. 

Pure veratrine does not crystallise, but unites with acids, form- 
ing combinations that readily crystallise. It is white, solid, and 
friable, and fuses at 212° Fahrenheit. It is not soluble in water, 
but is readily so in ether and alcohol. The sulphate forms long, 
loose needles, fuses on the application of heat, and loses thereby two 
atoms of water. It contains 100. parts of veratrine, and 14.66 of 
water. 

The muriate of veratrine is very soluble in water and alcohol, 
but is easily decomposed by heat. According to Couerbe, pure 
veratrine agrees in its properties with the impure, and is the active 
principle of the latter. 

Sabadillin, obtained in the mode above mentioned, forms small 
crystals, which appear to be hexaedral prisms. It is of a white 
colour, and very acrid. It is not volatilisable ; fuses at 200° of the 
centigrade scale, and loses thereby two atoms of water. It dissolves 
completely in water and alcohol, but in ether it is wholly insoluble. 
The sulphate of sabadillin crystallises in prismatic needles, is 
fusible, and contains four atoms of water, which may be driven off 
by simple fusion. The sabadillin agrees in its effects with vera- 
trine, but is weaker. 

The gum resin — (sabadillin-monohydrat,) is yellowish, un- 
crystallisable, and feebly alkaline. When it is entirely dry, it is 
easily reduced to powder. Alcohol dissolves it in every proportion, 
as well as water and acids. It requires a temperature of 165° cent, 
to fuse it. Sulphuric ether dissolves only traces of it. In its 
properties, it bears much resemblance to the sabadillin, but differs 
essentially from it in not being crystallisable. Its composition 
varies but little from that of the sabadillin. 

The veratrin, 1 whose effects on the animal economy are not yet 
known, is of a brownish colour, is insoluble in water and in ether, 
but not so in alcohol ; fuses at 185° of the centigrade scale. Con- 
centrated acids decompose it, and nitric acid converts it into oxalic. 

Simon, an apothecary of Berlin, has recently affirmed, that he 
has found two alkaloids in the veratrum album ; one of which pos- 

' Riecke properly animadverts on the nomenclature of Couerbe. Ac- 
cording to him, we have to distinguish not only the veratrine of commerce — 
that which was previously esteemed the simple alkaloid — but, also, the pure 
veratrine, (la veratrine,) and the veratrin, (le veratrin.) The slight differ- 
ence in the terms is insufficient to obviate confusion. Riecke, Die neuern 
Arzneimittel u. s. w. S. 400. Stuttgart, 1337. 



378 dunglison's new remedies. 

sesses the property of being precipitated from its solution in acetic 
or phosphoric acid by the sulphuric acid and its salts, like baryta; 
hence he has given it the name barytin} 

EFFECTS ON THE ANIMAL ECONOMY. 

Regarding the effects of veratrine on animals, Magendie 2 has the 
following remarks: — A very small quantity of acetate of veratrine 
placed in the nostrils of a dog, instantly excited violent sneezing, 
which continued for a long time. One or two grains, placed in the 
mouth, immediately occasioned profuse ptyalism. When a small 
quantity was introduced into any part of the intestinal canal, and 
the body was opened to notice its effects, the intestine was observed 
to be much indurated, and to relax and contract alternately for a 
certain length of time. The part of the mucous membrane, with 
which the veratrine is made to come in contact, is inflamed ; the 
irritation spreads, and vomiting and purging are excited. In much 
stronger doses, the circulation is accelerated, as well as the respi- 
ration, and tetanus supervenes, soon followed by death. The 
effects are still more rapid, if one or two grains be thrown into the 
cavity of the pleura, or tunica vaginalis. In less than ten minutes 
death occurs, preceded by tetanic convulsions. 

The same quantity thrown into the jugular vein, induced tetanus 
and death in a few seconds. Dissection showed, that, even in this 
case, the veratrine had acted on the intestinal canal, the mucous 
membrane of which was found injected. The lungs, also, exhi- 
bited traces of inflammation and engorgement. 

Veratrine, in large doses, would, doubtless, exhibit the same 
effects on the human organism. The taste is very acrid, but with- 
out bitterness : it excites a copious flow of saliva, even when a 
small quantity only has been introduced into the mouth. Although 
it has no smell, it must not be brought too close to the nose, when 
in the state of powder, as it occasions, even in very minute quan- 
tity, violent sneezing, which may prove dangerous. A quarter of 
a grain immediately induces copious evacuations, and, in a some- 
what larger dose, more or less violent vomiting. 

According to Turnbull, who has immoderately, we think, ex- 
tolled this remedy, its effect is very different, according as it is ex- 
hibited internally or externally. Externally, it may be applied for 
weeks and months, without the supervention of any of the effects 
that succeed its internal administration. Exhibited in this way, it 
diminishes internal nervous excitement, assuages pain, but does not 
act on the intestinal canal. In dropsical cases, it is stated to be 

• Pharmaceut. Centralblatt. 1837, p. 191, & Medicinische Annalen, B. iv. 
H. i. S. 9. Heidelb. 1838. 

2 Journal de Physiologie Experiment, i. 56; & Formulaire pour la Prepa- 
ration, &c. de plusieurs Medicamens. 



VERATRINA. 376 

one of the greatest promoters of the urinary secretion that we pos- 
sess. The part of the skin on which it is rubbed, either in solution 
or ointment, even when the friction has been continued for a long 
time, exhibits no evidence of irritation : when, however, the dose 
of veratrine has attained a certain extent, the patients feel a con- 
siderable degree of heat, and a kind of pricking sensation in the 
rubbed part, when it may be concluded, that the veratrine is active, 
pure, and genuine: under a more prolonged use of the remedy, 
this feeling of warmth and pricking extends over the surface of the 
whole body ; and, in some cases, involuntary twitchings have been 
observed in the muscles of the mouth and eyelids. These symp- 
toms, however, pass off, when the frictions are discontinued for a 
day or two. Only in a few cases, according to Turnbull, was any 
eruption induced by its application. The endermic use of the 
remedy, always, however, excited so much irritation as to prevent 
its repetition. Thus much for Turnbull : — 

His views and experience have by no means been confirmed by 
the generality of observers. The external application of veratring 
cannot always be used without local irritation ensuing. An Eng- 
lish physician, labouring under rheumatism of the arm, rubbed 
upon it an ointment composed of twenty grains of veratrine to an 
ounce of lard ; and, immediately afterwards, so much pain was in- 
duced in the part, that he was obliged to take opium to obtain 
rest ; an eczematous eruption subsequently appeared on the arm, 
but the rheumatism remained uncured. Ebers applied it ender- 
mically, but witnessed nothing more than a violent burning in the 
part, such as is commonly the case with other agents. He fre- 
quently observed the pricking sensation mentioned by Turnbull, 
and often to such an extent as to be almost insupportable. Ac- 
cording to the trials of Ebers, its diuretic effect was not restricted 
to dropsy, but was usually evinced in other diseases. The senso- 
rium appears never to have been implicated, but when applied in 
small doses over the pit of the stomach it produced striking effects 
on the spinal marrow, and the nerves connected therewith, as on 
the nerves of the thorax and abdomen : violent pain was expe- 
rienced, which spread through the whole extent of the nerves dis- 
tributed to the parieties of the abdomen, with a sense of traction 
along the spinal marrow, twitchings, great anxiety, orthopncoa, 
nausea and vomiting, and a feeling, which the patient was unable 
to describe, except that it was almost insupportable. 

When given internally, veratrine soon caused nausea, retching, 
vertigo, and complete loss of appetite; so that Ebers soon aban- 
doned its internal use, and, like Turnbull, gave the preference to 
the external. 

Owing to the presumed effects of veratrine on the nervous 
system, and especially on the spinal marrow, and the nerves con- 
nected with it, its use was suggested in nervous diseases — particu- 
larly in neuralgia, prosopalgia, and ischias — in which it is said to 



380 dunglison's new remedies. 

have been found most efficacious by Turnbull, Ebers, 1 Briick, 
Suffert, 2 Professor S. Jackson, 3 Cunier, 4 and others. In no class of 
diseases, according to the first of these writers, have the beneficial 
effects of the ointment of veratrine exhibited themselves more 
strikingly, and by no other remedy has the same amount of relief 
been induced in so short a time. Even in tic douloureux, a single 
friction is said to have been sufficient to remove the disease without 
relapse. Two circumstances have here chiefly to be borne in 
mind,— -first, the extent of the pain, for when it is not concentrated 
on a point, but spreads along the branches of the nerves, the cure 
is easier, and a weaker ointment is needed ; and, secondly, the 
duration of the affection. In long protracted cases, a complete cure 
is far more difficult, and can, in general, be effected only after a 
long period. The paroxysms, however, may be relieved by an 
ointment composed of from twenty to forty grains to an ounce of 
lard. In this case, it must be strongly rubbed in, so as to excite 
itching of the skin : care must be taken, however, that the oint- 
ment does not touch the conjunctiva, as the smallest quantity of 
veratrine would induce violent inflammation. Ebers, likewise, 
found advantage from its use in chorea, hypochondriasis, and 
hysteria ; and Turnbull in paralysis. Both extol it in rheumatism 
and gout, in relation to which Ebers remarks, that the remedy has 
appeared to him more efficacious when the nervous system, or 
some nervous branches, were predominantly affected, and when 
the gastric affection was entirely removed. In the cases treated by 
veratrine, relief was sooner obtained, and the cure was more speedy 
and complete, than where other agents were employed ; the secre- 
tion of urine was augmented ; restlessness disappeared ; and sleep 
returned, without any evidences of narcosis. As regards acute 
rheumatism, Turnbull remarks, that the veratrine is not to be pre- 
ferred to antiphlogistics : in these cases, a weaker ointment must 
be used, (ten grains to the ounce:) in chronic cases, the quantity 
may be carried much higher ; and — especially when extensive 
organic changes have supervened in the parts — it must be con- 
tinued for a great length of time. In lumbago, ischias, and rheu- 
matism of the chest, not more than one or two rubbings were 
generally necessary. In gout, according to Turnbull, it may be 
exhibited both internally and externally; in the former mode of 
administration, he compares its efficacy with that of colchicum: 
the latter method has been recommended, also, by Sir C. Scuda- 

1 Casper's Wochenschrift, 1837. No. 47. 

2 Berlin. Medicin. Centralzeitung, 1837, p. 670, & Heidelberg. Medicin. 
Annal. B. iv. H. 1, S. 11. 

3 American Journal of Pharmacy, vol. iii. new series, p. 186. Philad. 1838. 

4 Bulletin Medical Beige, Dec. 1837, & Bullet. General de Therap. Dec. 
1838. See, also, Forcke, Physiologisch-therapeutische Untersuchungen 
iiber das Veratria. Hannov. 1837 : cited in Bib. Generate, Encyclographie 
des Sciences Medicales, Aout, 1838. 



VERATRINA. 381 

more. It was, likewise, found very advantageous by Bardsley 1 in 
chronic rheumatism. 

Veratrine would seem, however, to have been most efficacious iic 
cases of dropsy. " Unadulterated veratrine," says Ebers, " act? 
often on the urinary secretion with magical powers, and it may 
seem fabulous, when I remark, that friction with a very weak oint- 
ment of veratrine two or three times in the twenty-four hours on 
the inner part of the thigh, or the back, epigastric region, or around 
the navel, has excited such a copious secretion of urine, that the 
patients, under its long continuance, began to feel weak; and the 
anasarca, and even the dropsical accumulation in the abdomen, in 
a short time almost disappeared — circumstances which indicate the 
caution that ought to be observed in apportioning the dose, when 
we are satisfied of the goodness of the article.'"' He properly re- 
marks, however, that the veratrine, by augmenting the secretion of 
urine, may not remove the dropsy, but, by occasioning the absorp- 
tion of the effused fluid, it allows the physician to examine as to 
the existence of organic mischief. Ebers gave the veratrine in 
many of the lighter hydropic cases, which follow intermittents and 
other forms of fever, and often with great and rapid success ; like- 
wise in twenty-four more serious cases, fifteen of Which recovered, 
and one experienced relief: eight very complicated cases termi- 
nated fatally, and in four of these diuresis occurred; in four not. 

Fricker 2 likewise obtained very good effects from the use of an 
ointment of veratrine in dropsy: but, on the other hand, Spath 
found it of no avail. 

Turnbull observed, from the internal use of veratrine, as well 
as from its application to the pit of the stomach, a diminution in 
the frequency and force of the pulsations of the heart ; and in 
cases where these were more excited than natural, restoration of 
a regular circulation. He exhibited it, consequently, in heart dis- 
eases, especially in those of gouty and rheumatic diatheses, in 
simple nervous and gouty palpitation, and as a diuretic in organic 
heart diseases, in which it frequently seemed to afford relief. 

The observation of Turnbull — that by the external application 
of veratrine, in chronic rheumatism, with swellings of the joints, 
these disappeared — induced him to try it in glandular swellings ; 
he found, that in goitre, in swellings of the mammary glands un- 
accompanied with pain, in buboes, and in scrofulous tumours of 
various parts, even in cases in which iodine had failed, it rendered 
essential service. It has, according to him, the advantage, that the 
skin is not subsequently irritated by it, and when, after the rubbing, 
the superfluous ointment is washed off with soap and water, the 
affected parts can soon afterwards be exposed to the air. Of an 

1 Hospital Facts and Observations, illustrative of the efficacy of Strychnia, 
Brucin, Veratria, Iodine, &c. Lond. 1S30. 

* Wurtemb. Medic. Correspondenzblatt, B. vi. S. 157 & 341 ; & Heidelb. 
Medicin. Annal. B. iv. H. i. S. Jo. 



2S2 dunglison's new remedies. 

ointment formed often grains of veratrine to half an ounce of lard, 
a piece, about the size of a nut, is rubbed in for ten minutes twice 
a day, and every week the strength of the ointment is increased. 

Magendie 1 recommends, that the veratrine should be given, also, 
as a drastic cathartic, especially where a speedy action on the 
bowels is needed. Prescribed with this view, it has been found 
effective in several aged persons, in whom a collection of excre- 
ment had formed in the large intestine. Turnbull advises it in the 
opposite condition of the bowels — in diarrhoea — given in the dose 
of half a grain — a disease in which, it is well known, our ordinary 
cathartics often prove extremely serviceable. 

It would appear, that veratrine is an article which is frequently 
adulterated. Such, at least, is the opinion of many practitioners, 
and in this way they account for the discordance amongst ob- 
servers as to its virtues. 2 The veratrine, with which Ebers made 
his first trials, was obtained from the French laboratories ; it ex- 
hibited the whole power of this heroic agent. On employing, how- 
ever, a new preparation, he found it entirely useless ; and after- 
wards, with another, he derived all the benefit obtained from the 
first. 

The observations of Ebers would induce us to give further 
trials to the veratrine; but we must confess, that our experience, 
thus far, has by no means confirmed the eulogiums of Turnbull ; 
and this is the general sentiment, we think, of the profession. It 
has often been used externally by ourselves, as well as by many 
other American physicians, but has almost always fallen short of 
the mark. Riecke 3 affirms, that he has not seen the slightest effect 
from the application of the veratrine ointment. 4 

MODE OP ADMINISTERING. 

Yeratrine may be given either in pills or in spirituous solution ; 
the dose being from one-twelfth to one-sixth of a grain several 
times a day. Externally, it is best administered in the form of 
ointment, or endermically. In the latter case, Ebers generally 
strews two grains on the denuded skin. 

PilnlcB Veratrince. 

Pills of Veratrine. 

5<. Veratrin. gr. ss. 
Guram. acaciae, 
Syrup, gum. acac. q. s. ut fiant pilulae vj. pond. gr. j. 

Dose. — One pill, to be repeated two or three times a day, ac- 
cording to circumstances. Magendie. 

1 Formulaire pour la Preparation, &c. de plusieurs nouveaux Medica- 
mens. 

2 Ebers, & Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimittel, u. s. w. S. 407. 

* Op. cit. 

* See, on the preparation, employment, action, and medicinal virtues of 
veratrine, Ebers, in Hufeland's Journal, B. lxxxvi. 1838. 



VERATRINA. 3S3 

*. Veratrin. gr. ij. 

Pulv. rad. glycyrr. gr. xij. 
Ext. hyoscyam. gr. vj. 
M. fiant pilulse xij. 

Dose. — One, three times a day. Turnbull. 

Tinctura Veratrince. 

Tincture of Veratrine. 

5<. Veratrin. gr. iv. 1 

Spiritus vini, ^j. M. 

Dose. — Ten, fifteen, twenty, to twenty-five drops in a glass of 
water. — Given in dropsy. Magendie. 2 

Unguentum Veratrince. 

Ointment of Veratrine. 

£. Veratriaae, gr. v. x. vel xx. 
Axungiae, gj. 
Misce intime. 

For external use. The size of a hazel-nut to be carefully rubbed 
in, morning and evening, or oftener, for from five to fifteen 
minutes. Turnbull. 

5<. Veratrin. Bj. 
Tere cum 

01 olivee, 3j. 
Et adde 

Unguent, cetacei, Jvij. Misce. 

Solutio Veratrince. 

Solution of Veratrine. 

5<. Veratrinae, gr. j. 

Aquae destillat. §ij. M. 

A dessert-spoonful to be taken in one or two ounces of sugared 
water, in cases of tic douloureux. Magendie. 

Linimentum Veratrince. 

Liniment of Veratrine. 

&. Veratrin. gr. viij. 
Solve in 

Alcohol. 

Linim. sapon. aa. ^ss. 



The Sulphate of Veratrine — veratrince sulphas — possesses 
the same virtues as veratrine. Magendie gives the following form 
for internal administration : — 

1 Iu the Pharmacopee Universelle, of Jourdan, (ii. 643,) there is the seri- 
ous error of directing giv. in the preparation of this tincture, in place of four 
grains ! 

* Magendie recommends that the tincture should also be used externally, 
in cases of dropsy or gout. 



384 dunglison's new remedies. 

Solutio Veratrince. Sulpkatis. 
Solution of Sulphate of Veratrine. 

£. Veratrinae sulphat. gr. j. 
Aquae destillat. £ij. Misce. 

Dose. — 3j to 3iv in a mixture. The preparation has been sug- 
gested as a substitute for the Eau medicinalc cTHusson. 



ZINCI CHLORIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Zinci Chloruretum, Zincum Chloratum, Z. Muriaticum 
(Oxydatura,) Chloride, or Chloruret, Hydrochlorate, Muriate, or Butter 
of Zinc. 

German. — Zinkchlorid, Salzsaures Zinkoxyd. 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

The chloride of zinc results, — if to any given quantity of pure 
muriatic acid, pure oxide of zinc be added by the aid of gentle 
heat, until no more is dissolved : the solution is then filtered, and 
evaporated in a porcelain dish to dryness ; whereby a jelly-like — 
and, by high drying — firm, white, and, by careless drying, light 
brownish substance remains, of an austere, sourish, metallic taste, 
which must be rubbed to powder, and preserved in a closely 
stopped vessel. 

The chloride of zinc is very deliquescent in the air, forming the 
butler of zinc, (butyrum zinci ; German, Zinkbutter.) It is very 
soluble in water. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

The chloride of zinc has been exhibited both internally and ex- 
ternally, but chiefly in the latter mode, especially in this country. 

Papengnth 1 found a very dilute solution useful in flabby scrofu- 
lous ulcerations, applied in the form of lotion ; and in sinuous 
ulcers, in the form of injections. 

It has been especially recommended as a caustic, that does not 
exert any disagreeable influence, like the corrosive sublimate, 
arsenic, or the potassa fusa ; — never causing violent pain in the 
affected parts, or any kind of irritative fever; or disordering the 
digestive organs, as some of the articles just mentioned. Hanke, 
indeed, advises that arsenic should be entirely banished from 
therapeutics as a caustic agent, and that the chloride of zinc should 
be substituted for it. He employed it with success in old, atonic 

1 Nouveau Journal de Medecine, 1819. 



ZINCI CHLORIDUM. 385 

ulcerations on the feet, in the strength of two grains to the ounce 
of distilled water: with this he wetted lint, and applied it two 
or three times a day. With like success he used it in old syphi- 
litic ulcers, with extremely morbid surfaces and secretions : the 
chloride destroyed the degenerate formation, and effected cica- 
trisation. In scrofulous and malignant herpetic ulcers, he pre : 
scribed a concentrated solution ; in pityriasis he used it as a wash, 
and in wounds and ulcerations, with fungous formations, he ap- 
plied it in a concentrated state : in phagedenic ulcers of the face, it 
effected a more certain cure than the method of Cosme, — the chlo- 
ride being strewed a line thick, in a dry state, over the whole sur- 
face of the ulcer, the edges surrounded with adhesive plaster, and 
a plaster placed over the chloride of zinc, with compresses and an 
appropriate bandage. In naevi materni, angiectasis, &c, he applied 
it in the same manner, as well as in the pustule maligne, (Milz- 
brandkarbunkel.) Mr. Callaway, 1 of Guy's Hospital, London, 
employed it with considerable success in the cure of cutaneous and 
subcutaneous naevi materni. It was directed to be rubbed on the 
part until the skin became slightly discoloured, and to be repeated 
at intervals. Dr. Alexander lire has found it extremely useful in 
the varieties of erosive ulcer called lupus, which were often speedily 
checked, and the disease permanently cured by the local use of the 
chloride. He applied it in a paste, made with one part of the chlo- 
ride and two or three parts of the anhydrous sulphate of lime — a 
modification of Canquoin's formula, (see below,) which he recom- 
mended upwards of two years ago. 2 One or two applications of 
the paste were generally sufficient to produce a proper eschar, and 
when this was detached, the sore was treated with water dressing. 3 
In a late British periodical, a case is related by Dr. Davidson, 4 of 
malignant ulcer under the left ear, which was cured by the un- 
mixed chloride of zinc, applied repeatedly until the ulcer assumed 
a healthy character. 

Hanke used it likewise for the formation of issues, which it 
establishes in from six to eight hours; and, lastly, to excite rube- 
faction on the surface, either applied in the form of a solution of 
the chloride in water or wine, or mixed with oil or lard into an 
ointment, and rubbed on the skin : in this way, a gritty kind of 
eruption of a scarlet hue is induced, which is said to have afforded 
relief in paralysis of the limbs. 

Wendt, Vogt, and Canquoin have highly extolled the chloride as 
a caustic, and it has been largely employed by the physicians and 
surgeons of this continent, especially in the Philadelphia Alms- 
house, and Pennsylvania Hospital, in similar cases to those men- 
tioned above. 

1 British Annals of Medicine, May 19, 1837. 

1 Lond. Med. Gazette, Dec. 1 ( J, 1835. 

3 Ibid. Dec. 3, 1836. 

* Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journ. Jan. 1838. 

12— f dungl 25 



386 dunglison's new remedies. 

Dr. Davidson 1 is of opinion, that the chloride of zinc is only 
superior to many other caustics in cases where the destruction 
of a considerable thickness of texture is required, or where the 
removal of an excrescence by a caustic is preferred by the patient 
to the knife: the nitrate of silver seems, he considers, to be supe- 
rior in promoting a sound action, when the unhealthy surface or 
stratum of the ulcer is superficial. 

Hanke 2 has, likewise, used the chloride of zinc internally, in cases 
of epilepsy, with advantage, as well as in St. Vitus's dance ; and 
has prescribed it, united with hydrocyanic acid, in prosopalgia. 
Hufeland, also, extols the solution of the chloride in all those neu- 
roses in which the oxide of zinc is indicated, and especially in 
such patients as are not readily impressible. 3 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

Guttce Zinci Chloridi. 

Drops of Chloride of Zinc. 

5<. Zinci. chlorid. gr. j. 

Sp. aether, muriat. ^ij. Solve. 

Dose. — Five drops, every four hours, in a little sugared water; 
gradually increasing the dose to ten drops. 

Lotio Zinci Chloridi. 

Lotion of Chloride of Zinc. 

B<. Zinc, chlorid. gr. viij. 
Ext. aloes aquos. ^ij. 
Aquee destill. %iv. Solve. 

Applied to the dressings, in cases of atonic, scrofulous ulcers. 

Vogt. 
The chloride of zinc may be applied as a caustic, by means of a 
moistened hair pencil, either alone, or mixed with an equal portion 
of oxide of zinc, or sulphate of lime, or according to the following 
forms : — 

Canquoiti's Caustic Pastes. 

A. B. C. 

5«. Zinci chlorid. p. i. i. i. 

Farinse tritici p. iv. iij. ij. 
Aqua? fontan. 4 q. s. at fiat pasta. 

9c. Zinci chlorid. p. j. 
Farina? tritic. p. iss. 
Butyri antimonii, p. ss. 
Aq. font. q. s. ut fiat pasta. 

1 Op. cit., and American Journal of the Med. Sciences, May, 1839, p. 238. 

2 Rust's Magazine, xxii. 373; and Journal de Pharmacie, xvi. 549. 

3 See Merat & De Lens, Art. Zinc, (Chlorure de.) 

4 To each ounce of the chloride of zinc twenty-four to thirty drops of 
water being added. 



ZINCI CYANIDUM. — ZINCI FERROH YDROCYANAS. 387 



ZINCI CYANIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Zincum Cyanogenatum, Z. Borussicum, Z. Zooticum, Z. 

Hydrocyanicurn, Z. Cyanuretum. Hydrocyanate, Prussiate, or Cyanuret 

of Zinc. 
French. — Cyanure de Zinc. 
German. — Cyanzinc, Blausaures Zynkoxydul, Blaustoffzink, Zinkcyanur. 

This preparation was used in Germany for a long time before 
the process was made known. 1 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to Kunze, it is directed, in the Leipzic shops, to be 
prepared as follows : 2 

Any quantity of pure sulphate of zinc is dissolved in ten times 
as much distilled water ; the fluid is then filtered, and decomposed 
by a solution of hydrocyanate of potassa, or hydrocyanate of lime ; 
added by drops so long as a precipitate is formed. This precipi- 
tate, which consists of cyanide of zinc, must be carefully washed, 
dried, and preserved in a glass jar, from which the entrance of light 
is prevented. 3 

The hydrocyanate of zinc has the appearance of a white, taste- 
less powder, which is insoluble in water and spirit of wine, but 
dissolves in the stronger acids, with the disengagement of hydro- 
cyanic acid. Well prepared and rubbed, it has a strong odour of 
hydrocyanic acid. When moistened, or exposed to heat, it exhales 
hydrocyanic acid. 

As to its medicinal effects and mode of administering, they are 
analogous to those of the following preparation: they are, there- 
fore, given together. 



ZINCI FERROHYDROCYANAS. 

Synonymes— Cyanuretum Ferrozincicum, Zincum Ferrohydrocyanicum, 

Ferro-Hydrocyanate, or Ferrocyanate of Zinc. 
German. — Eisenblausaurer Zink, Blausaures Eisenoxydul-Zinkoxyd, Zink- 

eisencyaniir, Cyaneisenzink. 

METHOD OF PREPARING. 

According to Schindler, 4 this preparation is best made by the 
mutual decomposition of boiling hot solutions of eighty-three parts 

1 Magendie, Forrnulaire pour la Preparation, &c. de plusieurs nouveaux 
Medicamens, &c. 

2 Riecke, Die neuern Arzneimiuel, u. s. w. S. 410. Stuttgart, 1837. 

3 For M. Pelletier's method, see Magendie, Forrnulaire. &c. 
* Riecke, Op. cit. S. 411. 



38S dunglison's new remedies. 

of sulphate of zinc, and sixty parts of ferrocyanate of potassa. If 
the sulphate of zinc be not entirely free from iron, it has a bluish 
lustre, which, after long washing with lime water, becomes of a 
reddish hue. If the bluish colour be manifested, some more sul- 
phate of zinc must be added, and it must be digested until the pre- 
cipitate appears entirely white. 

Ferrohydrocyanate of zinc forms a white, insoluble, almost in- 
odorous powder, which is somewhat soluble in the stronger acids, 
without exhaling a smell of hydrocyanic acid in the cold ; but, by 
boiling, hydrocyanic acid is slowly disengaged. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY. 

Hufeland recommends the cyanide, or perhaps, the ferrocyanate 
of zinc in nervous diseases. According to him, from one to four 
grains may be given for a dose, two or three times a day. without 
any injurious effects; — the only inconvenience being, at times, 
slight nausea, but no diarrhoea, or disposition to obstructions, and 
no narcotic symptoms. In cardialgia, it afforded, in his hands, 
essential service, as well as in some cases of epilepsy, and in 
paralysis. Henning, 1 likewise, found it useful in cramp of the 
stomach, in hysteria, and in spasmodic diseases of children, in- 
duced by worms. In epileptic attacks from teething, he also gave 
it with advantage; — the dose being from half a grain to a grain, 
three or four times a day. Clarus gave the cyanide (?) of zinc in 
epilepsy, but he observed no other result than less frequent and less 
severe attacks. Pohl saw no very decided effect from the remedy, 
which he gave in the dose of from one-fourth to half a grain. In 
the Berlin Polyclinic Institute, advantage accrued from it in two 
cases of St. Vitus's dance ; it was begun with in the dose of one- 
third of a grain twice a day, which was gradually raised to four- 
teen grains a day. Klokow gave the cyanide of zinc — which 
Riecke suggests 2 was the cyanuret of zinc and potassium, (Cyan- 
zink-cyankalium,) — in spasmodic affections, beginning at first 
with one-tenth of a grain, as larger doses occasioned colic, diarrhoea, 
and vomiting; and, when the patient became accustomed to it, 
gradually augmenting the dose to half a grain. Success, he affirms, 
followed its administration. 3 Muhrbeck gave it, in violent periodical 
cephalalgia in the region of the left frontal sinus, with great benefit. 
He began with one-twelfth of a grain, and gradually raised the dose 
to a grain and a half. Muller and Giinther confirm the reports 
of its efficacy in St. Vitus's dance : the first gave daily a grain ; 
the latter, from half a grain to a grain, four times a day. 

Kopp, who properly distinguishes the two preparations from 
each other, instituted experiments with each. The ferrocyanate of 

' Hufeland's Journal, 1823. 

2 Op. cit. S. 413. 

8 Hufeland und Osann's Journal, B. lxx. St. 2. 



ZINCI FERROHYDROCYANAS. 389 

zinc he used with advantage in cramp of the stomach, general 
nervous disorders, nervous debility, neuralgia, nervous headach, 
and nocturnal pains in the bones. He gave it in the form of 
powder, with some sugar of milk, every two hours, or four times 
a day, in doses of one-twelfth to one-eighth of a grain, gradually 
increasing the dose. According to his observations, it occasions, 
with many persons, obstructions, but does not disorder the stomach. 
Kopp found the cyanide of zinc still more efficacious in the same 
disorders. Impressible patients, who suffered under unusual sen- 
sibility of the abdomen, took four powders daily, of one-sixteenth 
of a grain each, with marked benefit. In one case of neuralgia, in 
a man, he elevated the dose very gradually to half a grain four 
times a day. When, however, this quantity was exceeded, and the 
patient took five-eighths of a grain four times a day, hyperasmia 
occurred in the head, with constipation. In two cases of chorea of 
one side of the body, the ferrocyanate had no effect whatever. 

Riecke 1 asserts, that his father used it several times in scirrhus 
of the pylorus with advantage. 

MODE OF ADMINISTERING. 

The cyanide (?) was applied externally, by Von Ammon, in 
scrofulous and incipient rheumatic inflammation of the eyes, as 
well as in catarrhal inflammation of the eyelids: he prescribed it 
suspended by means of gum arabic in a mixture of cherry-laurel 
water and tinctura opii. 

On account of the insolubility of both the cyanide and the ferro- 
cyanate, they are best given in the form of pill or powder. 

The common dose of the cyanide is from one-sixteenth to one- 
twelfth of a grain several times a day, gradually increasing the dose 
to one quarter of a grain ; of the ferrocyanate, the dose is from one to 
four grains two or three times a day. Riecke 2 advises — to prevent 
confusion — that when these articles are ordered, thoy should be 
respectively denominated, Zincum bydrocyanicurn sine ferro, and 
Zincum /e/ro-hydrocyanicum. 

PilulcB Zinci Cyanidi. 

Pills of Cyanide of Zinc. 

&. Zinci cyanid. gr. xv. 
Succ. glycyrrh. 3'\j. 
Misce et fiant piluloe lx. 

Dose. — One, morning, noon, and night, gradually increasing 
the quantity. Kopp. 

Rt. Zinci cyanid. gr. vj. 
Magnesias, gr. iv. 
Pulv. cinnain. gr. iij. Misce. 

This dose to be repeated every four hours, in nervous affections 
of the stomach, especially in cases of cramp. Henning. 

1 Op. cit. S. 414. 

2 Ibid. 



390 dunglison's new remedies. 



ZINCI IODIDUM. 

Synonymes. — Zincum Iodatura, Zinci Ioduretum, Iodide, or Ioduret of 

Ziuc. 
German.— Iodzink. 

This preparation is made by boiling together iodine and zinc in 
atomic proportions, or rather with an excess of zinc, in a flask of 
water, down to dryness, and subliming the residue. Iodide of zinc 
is thus procured in beautiful, colourless, prismatic crystals. 1 

The iodide of zinc is very deliquescent, and cannot easily be 
retained in the solid form. When heated in open vessels, it is re- 
solved into iodine and oxide of zinc. It is very liable to undergo 
spontaneous decomposition. 

It has a caustic taste, and, when applied to a denuded surface, 
gives rise to considerable smarting. Dr. Ure 2 recommends an oint- 
ment, formed of a dram of the iodide to an ounce of lard, in cases 
where the external use of the iodide of potassium is indicated. 
Proutet advises it as a collyrium in scrofulous ophthalmia, of the 
strength of fifteen grains to six ounces of distilled water : and it 
has been employed to form an astringent injection, in the proportion 
of a grain to an ounce of water. 

1 Annales de Chimie, xci. 

% Diet, of Chemistry, 2d edition, p. 516. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



I.— COMPRESSTO. 

Synonymes. — Compression, Methodical Compression. 
German. — Druck. 

This valuable method of modifying the condition of the capillary or 
intermediate system of vessels, and, through it, the function of nutrition, 
has lately become more extensively employed in the treatment of disease. 
As a sorbefacient, in various hypertrophies, it has long been used 
wherever its agency was applicable, and its effects have been very de- 
cided. 1 Of late years, however, it has been proposed in inflammatory 
and other affections, in which it had been previously esteemed inappli- 
cable. Upwards of twenty years ago, it was highly recommended in 
rheumatic affections by Dr. William Balfour, 3 of Edinburgh, and nume- 
rous cases were brought forward by him, and by others, to attest its 
efficacy. Since then, it has been advised by Guerin, 3 in cases of phleg- 
monous erysipelas of the extremities; by Velpeau, 4 in severe burns and 
phlebitis, and in inflammation of the synovial apparatus; 5 and still more 
recently, Mr. James Allan 6 has related three cases of phlegmasia bene- 
fited by a similar treatment; — two were of erysipelas of the lower ex- 
tremities, and one of the face. In these, compression was of speedy and 
permanent benefit — the pain caused by it being very transient. He 
states, moreover, that he has found the bandage of very great service in 
removing the pain and swelling of joints affected with acute rheumatism, 
after the more active degree of inflammation had passed away. 

In cases of external inflammation, compression acts probably in two 
ways; — first, by diminishing the circulation in the intermediate system 
of vessels concerned in the pathological condition ; and, secondly, by 

1 Clinique Medicale de l'H6pital Necker, p. 247, Paris, 1835; or the 
translation in the American Medical Library, first year 1 . See, also, the 
author's General Therapeutics, p. 228. Philad. 1836. 

1 A new Mode of curing Rheumatism and Sprains without debilitating. 
Eclinb. 1816. 

s Journ. Analyt. i. 93. 

* Ibid., and Bulletin General de Therapeutique, No. 16, Aout 30, 1836. 

5 Nouv. Bib. Med., Aout, 1826; and Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. 
Med., Art. Compression. 

9 British Annals of Medicine, Jan. 27, 1837. 



392 dunglison's new remedies. SUPPLEMENT. 

restoring (one to the over-dilated vessels; for it is in erysipelatous affec- 
tions, in which this form of hyperaemia more especially exists, that we 
have found it of greatest advantage. At this very time, we have cases 
of erysipelas of the extremities under treatment by compression, which 
are greatly benefited. We are constantly, also, in the habit of employing 
compression, under the circumstances mentioned by Mr. Allan, in arthri- 
tic affections, which are usually attended with great effusion, and with 
the most satisfactory results. 

From an observation of the good effects resulting from compression in 
analogous cases, it occurred to Dr. Fricke, 1 of Hamburg, that it might 
be employed with advantage in cases of orchitis, or swelled testicle, 
(hernia humoralis;) which is frequently very tedious, and requires means 
that are by no means easy of application. He, accordingly, had recourse 
to it, and the result was most satisfactory: he found that "the disease 
could be removed by it in a simple, easy, and surprisingly rapid way." 
He is of opinion, that, generally speaking, compression may be employed 
in every kind of inflammatory enlargement of the testicle, whatever 
may have been its cause, and at all stages of the disease. In many 
cases, the pain was at first, in some degree, increased ; and in some — 
especially when applied too tightly — it induced great pain; but this 
never continued long, the patient, in a short time, finding himself so 
much relieved as to be able to leave his bed and walk about the room. 
In many cases of recent origin, a single application of the compression 
was found sufficient; but when the disease was of longer duration — say 
from three to eight days — it was found necessary to repeat the compres- 
sion two or three times. Swelling of the spermatic cord, if not very 
considerable, did not contraindicate its use; nor did other coexistent 
local affections, as buboes, ulcers, &c. When a general febrile state 
accompanied the orchitis, comoression was found to be the best means 
for removing it, where the vascular action, at least, was not too consi- 
derable; although, in extremely rare cases, such was the effect of the 
compression itself. 

When the pain was very severe, it was generally owing to the com- 
pression having been too strong, and the same was the case with certain 
signs of gastric derangement that occasionally supervened. In these 
cases, it was necessary to suspend the remedy, until the derangement 
was removed, by the use of an emetic, or the application of a poultice to 
the stomach. These cases were, however, extremely infrequent. 

The good effects of compression exhibited themselves very soon after 
its employment, and the speedy abatement of the pain was always the 
surest sign of its efficacy. If the pain continued for some hours to any 
considerable degree, a general disorder of the system might, be looked 
for as explaining the cause of the failure of success. 

In the summer of 1835, Dr. Fricke treated, in this manner, seventeen 
cases. Of these were cured; — in one day, one; in two days, four; in 
three days, four; in four days, two; in five days, three; in nine days, 
one ; and in ten days, two. The three last were severe and unfavour- 
able cases. 

For the purpose of compression, Dr. Fricke employs sticking plaster, 

1 Zeitschrift fur die gesammt. Medicin. B. i. H. 1, Hamburg, 1S36. See, 
also, Brit, and For. Med. Rev. for July, 1836, p. 253. 



COMPRESSIO. 393 

made very adhesive, but not of too irritating materials, and spread on 
strips of linen, of the breadth of the thumb. No preparatory measures, 
as leeches, cataplasms, &c. are required. 

In slighter cases, the patient may stand before the surgeon leaning 
against the wall, or he may sit on the edge of a bed or sofa, in such sort 
that the scrotum may hang freely down. If the scrotum and neigh- 
bouring parts are much covered with hair, it must be removed; but, 
generally speaking, this is unnecessary. 

The following is the method he adopts of applying the compres- 
sion : — 

The surgeon takes the scrotum in one hand, and separates the dis- 
eased from the sound testicle; whilst, with the other, he gently stretches 
the skin of the scrotum over the former: the spermatic cord is isolated 
in the same manner. If the swelling of the testicle be considerable, it 
must be held by an assistant. The surgeon now applies the first strip 
over the isolated spermatic cord, about a finger's breadth above the tes- 
licle, holding the end of the strip with his thumb, and passing it round 
the cord. He proceeds in the same manner with the second strip, which 
must cover the former either in part or altogether. The first part of 
the process must be carefully done ; the strips must compress the cord 
closely; for this purpose, the cord must be kept approximated to the 
skin, which must be tightly stretched over it; otherwise, when the other 
extremity of the testicle is compressed, the upper end will be apt to slip 
upwards through the loose rings of adhesive plaster, which will not only 
occasion pain, but render the whole operation abortive. In this manner 
the surgeon proceeds, applying strip after strip, the last always lying 
over its precursor by a third of its width, until the thickest part of the 
testicle — where it begins rapidly to decrease in diameter — is reached. 
The mode of procedure is now changed ; the surgeon lays hold of the 
part of the testicle already covered, and passes his strips longitudinally 
from above downwards over the lower portion of the testicle. In this 
way, the rest of the testicle is closely enveloped and compressed. The 
proper degree of compression will, in most cases, be indicated by the 
speedy disappearance of the pnin which had previously existed. 

When both testicles are affected, they must both be included in the 
circular strapping — the testicle already covered serving as a point of 
support for the other — as there is not room enough for the application 
of the circular strips over the second, in the same way as over the first. 

In some cases, where the skin is irritable, ulcerations take place : 
small slits may then be cut in the placer, and a Goulard lotion be 
applied. 

Generally speaking, the patient may leave his bed immediately after 
the strapping has been attached, and walk about the room; and, where 
the inflammation has not been great, he may even attend to light labour 
out of doors. 

When the strapping becomes loose, it may have to be reapplied, but 
often one application is sufficient. 

In orchitis, caused by blows or pressure, compression is regarded by 
Dr. Fricke as the best agency. If the inflammation runs very high, he 
usually applies leeches, in the first instance, and keeps on poultices for a 
day or two; but, in slighter cases, he has recourse immediately to com- 
pression. The principal advantages, which he considers this mode of 



394 dunglison's new remedies. SUPPLEMENT. 

treating orchitis to have over others, are: First. The speedy removal of 
the pain ; Secondly. The quick removal of the disease itself; Thirdly. 
The simplicity of the plan, and the slight trouble given thereby to the 
patient; Fourthly. Its small expense: and, Fifthly. The comparatively 
slight care and attendance required on the part of the surgeon. The 
two last points, as he properly remarks, are of considerable importance 
in hospital practice. 

Since this plan of treating orchitis was suggested by Fricke, it has 
been successfully employed by our hospital and other surgeons, although 
by no means extensively adopted. Several cases, too, have been men- 
tioned by M. Dechange,' of Liege, formerly chef de cliniqve chirurgicale 
at the Hopital de Baviere. Of twelve cases of acute orchitis, thus treated, 
three were cured in three days; and the remainder before the seventh 
day. 

Of late, Compression of the arteries, as an antiphlogistic agent, has 
been revived by Goyrand, Malapert, and others ; the object being to 
prevent the afflux of blood to a part labouring under hyperemia. The 
origin of this idea has been a matter of recent controversy ; a but, as 
Dezeimeris 3 has remarked, it certainly is not due to the gentlemen who 
have engaged in it. Blaud compressed the carotid in brain fever ; Auten- 
rieth did the same, before Blaud, in cases of convulsions ; Earl, in epi- 
lepsy ; Livingston and Kellie, in rheumatism ; Ludlow, in gout ; and 
Parry, of Bath, half a century earlier, employed compression of the 
vessels in different diseases, with the clearest appreciation of its modus 
operandi. 

Still more recently, Allier 4 has published a case of intermittent neu- 
ralgia of the lobe of the right ear, cured by compression of the primitive 
carotid of the same side : half an hour before the paroxysm, the com- 
pression was exerted, with interruptions of five minutes every quarter of 
an hour. He has, also, reported a case of neuralgia of the orbito-frontal 
nerve ; and, subsequently, of the nervus pudendus superior, respectively 
cured by compression of the carotid, and abdominal aorta. The com- 
pression of the carotid of the affected side was continued for the whole 
forenoon, with pauses of five minutes every quarter of an hour. For the 
pudic neuralgia, the abdominal aorta was compressed for the space of 
three quarters of an hour: the neuralgia, in both instances, gradually 
ceased. 

Lastly : M. Allier 5 employed compression of both carotids in a case 
of hydrophobia at the commencement of an attack; immediately, the 
convulsion ceased, and the patient became apparently exanimate. The 
family were alarmed, and would not permit a repetition of the experi- 
ment. The case ended fatally. 

In paroxysmal diseases, the ratio medendi of compression is not the 
same as in inflammatory diseases. In the latter, the flow of blood 
towards the inflamed part is prevented by the compression of the arterial 
vessels proceeding to it ; but when compression is exerted on the vessels 

1 Bulletin Medical Beige, Aout, 1838, p. 218. 

2 Gazette Medicale de Paris, No. 46, Nov. 18, 1837, and No. 47. 

3 Ibid. 

4 L'Experience, No. 16, Jan. 20. 183S. 
6 Ibid. 



C0NTRA-IRRITAT10. 395 

in neuralgia and congenerous diseases, the new impression caused by the 
resulting irregularity in the circulation, and the modification in the 
nervous function induced thereby, break in upon the morbid catenation 
like the different agents that are classed under the head of antispasmo- 
dics, of which class we have elsewhere endeavoured to show — what, by 
the way, is not now contested by any eminent therapeutist — that we 
have none that can be regarded in any other light than as indirect 
agents. 1 



II.— CONTRA-IRRITATIO. 

Synonymes. — Counter-irritation, Counter-action. 
German. — Gegenreizung. 

It is not the object of the author to enter into an explanation of the 
therapeutical application of counter-irritants, or revellents in general. 
This he has done at considerable length elsewhere; 2 but to refer to some 
agents not mentioned in the body of the work, to which attention has 
been revived, or first directed, of late years more especially. 

1. AMMONIATED COUNTER-IRRITANTS. 

Gondret's Ammonical Ointment ; Granville's Counter-irritants — Antidynous 3 
Counter-irritants. 

Ammonia has long been used in different formula? for exciting rube- 
faction and vesication of the cutaneous surface. When two parts of 
liquid ammonia are united with one pirt of suet and one part of oil of 
sweet almonds, the mixture forms the pommade ammoniacale of Gondret, 
which has been used for a long time to excite a speedy revulsion in cases 
of chronic affections of the brain, incipient cataract, amaurosis, &c, as 
well as to cauterise the integuments deeply. 4 To the advantages of this 
preparation, as well as of derivation in various diseases, M. Gondret has 
recently recalled the attention of practitioners in an ex professo treatise. 5 

Since the appearance of M. Gondret's last woik, Dr. Granville 6 has 

1 General Theiapeutics, p. 380. 

2 Ibid. p. 333. 

3 A term coined by Dr. Granville. It ought to be " Antodynous," from 
av-n, '■'• against," and oSwvj, "pain." 

4 Considerations sur l'ernploi du feu en medecine, suivies de 1'expose 
d'un moyen epispastique propre a suppleer la cauterisation, et h remplacer 
l'usage des cantharides, Paris, 1819; & Nouv. Biblioth. Med. iii. 441, 1828. 

6 Gondret, Traite theorique et pratique de la Derivation contre les affec- 
tions les plus communes en g6neral, telle que la Plelhore, l'Inflammation, 
l'Hemorrhagie, &c. Paris, 1837. 

8 Counter-irritation, its Principles and Practices, illustrated by one hun- 
dred Cases of the most painful and important Diseases effectually cured by 
external Applications. London, 1838; and American Medical Library edi- 
tion. Philad. 1838. 



396 dunglison's new remedies. — SUPPLEMENT. 

published a treatise on counter-irritation, which has given rise to much 
attention on both sides of the Atlantic, — partly in consequence of the 
strong encomiums he has passed on certain counter-irritant applications 
employed by him, and still more in consequence of the mystery which 
he threw around them, by keeping their preparation a secret, until the 
united voice of the profession had expressed the mingled feelings of sur- 
prise, indignation, and regret, which such conduct on the part of an 
individual, holding an elevated position in the ranks of the profession, 
naturally engendered. It is due, however, to Dr. Granville to remark, 
that on subsequently publishing his formula?, he stated that he addressed 
his work to ihe public to impress all with the value of the agency, but 
that it would have been unwise in him to give precise formula? to those 
who could not estimate the proper proportions of the ingredients; that 
every physician can apportion them; and that he had never concealed 
the formulas from his friends, and always intended to give them to the 
world." 

Dr. Granville describes two sorts of ammoniated lotions, of different 
degrees of power, which are prepared in the following manner: 

Each kind of lotion consists of three ingredients: — 1st. The strongest 
liquor of ammonia, A. 2d. Distilled spirit of rosemary, B. 3d. Spirit 
of camphor, C. 

These are made as follows : 

A. The strongest liquor of ammonia. — Saturate a given quantity of 
distilled water, contained in a glass receiver surrounded by ice, with 
ammoniacal gas, obtained in the usual way from a mixture of equal parts 
of hydrochlorate of ammonia and recently slaked lime, both reduced to a 
fine powder. The water may be made to take up nearly 800 times its 
bulk of ammoniated gas under the circumstances described; its specific 
gravity will then be about 872, and 100 pnrts of it will contain thirty- 
three parts of real ammonia, according to Sir H. Davy's tables. This 
solution of ammonia will, therefore, be more than three times the strength 
of the liquor ammonicB of the Pharmacopoeia of London, 100 parts of 
which, at a specific gravity of 960, contains only ten parts of real am- 
monia. Dr. Granville, therefore, called his " liquor ammonia? fortissimus." 

B. Distilled Spirit of Rosemary. — Take two pounds of the tips or 
small leaves of fresh rosemary, and eight pints of alcohol; leave the 
whole in infusion for twenty-four hours in a well covered vessel, and after 
adding as much water as will just prevent the empyreumatic smell, 
distil over seven pints. The Pharmacopoeia of London directs the 
essential oil of rosemary to be distilled instead with rectified spirit. Such 
a preparation Dr. Granville found unsuited for his purpose. 

C. Spirit of Camphor. — To four ounces of pure camphor add two 
pints of alcohol, so as to dissolve the camphor, which solution should be 
filtered. 

The three ingredients, thus prepared, every medical man should keep 
always ready at hand, in well-stoppered glass bottles, so as to be able to 
make, extemporaneously, a counter-irritating lotion of any requisite 
strength, according to the nature of the case. But for ordinary purposes, 
Dr. Granville advises that both a milder and a stronger ammoniated 
lotion should be kept ready prepared for use. 

1 London Lancet, Oct. 27, 1S33. 



CONTRA-IRRITATIO. 397 

Lotto Arnmoniata Mitior. 

The Milder Ammoniated Lotion. 

Assuming the quantity of lotion desired to be divided into eight parts, 
then the proportions of the ingredients will stand thus: 

A — four eighths. B — three eighths. C — one eighth^ or as follows: 

5<. Liq. amnion, fortiss. §j. 
Spirit, rorismarin. gvj. 
camphor. 31J. M. 

Lotto Arnmoniata Fortior. 

The Stronger Ammoniated Lotion. 

If the quantity desired be also divided into eight parts, then the pro- 
portions of the ingredients run as follows: 

A — five eighths. B — two eighths. C — one eighth, or as follows : 

*. Liq. ammon. fortiss. gx. 
Spirit, rorismar. .jfss. 
camph. ^ij. M. 

Although the changes of proportion here may be deemed trifling, yet 
the strength of the lotion is such, that Dr. Granville never employs it, 
except in cases of apoplexy, and for the purpose of cauterisation. 

Directions in Mixing the Ingredients. — A and B are gradually mixed 
together. The mixture becomes opalescent and somewhat turbid, and a 
peculiar, highly agreeable, ethereal smell is given out, different from 
the individual odour of either ingredient, although the extreme pungency 
of the ammonia is still discernible. " I have strong reasons to believe," 
says Dr. Granville, " that, at this point of the operation, some particular 
change takes place, which imparts to the mixture of the two ingredients 
some of its valuable peculiarities as a counter-irritant described in my 
work ; but what that change is, it is not my business to enter upon in 
this place : suffice it to say, that in a great number of experiments made 
with the ingredients separately, (for each of them acts as a counter-irri- 
tant on the skin,) and with them combined, the effects were uniformly 
different ; those in the former case being found unequal to the production 
of those complete results which I trust I have justly promised to the 
profession. Ammonia alone (however strong) will not give rise to the 
effects I have described, though it has often stopped internal pain, and 
produced small blisters ; but never has it succeeded in almost imme- 
diately producing a full vesication, as I have seldom failed to produce 
with the two ingredients mixed together, particularly after the third 
ingredient has been added." 

Before, however, that third ingredient is so added, it is desirable to 
clear the previous mixture, by the addition of a small quantity of alcohol, 
and to set the whole in a cool place. All the various precautions here 
mentioned may, upon an emergency, be dispensed with, when an imme- 
diate action is required, either to arrest pain or relieve deep-seated 
inflammation. But for the more delicate uses, particularly for instan- 
taneous vesication, Dr. Graiiville recommends that the preparations should 
be obtained in the manner specified. 

The lotion must always be kept in bottles with a glass stopper. 



398 dunglison's new remedies. — SUPPLEMENT. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN HEALTH. 

The stronger of these lotions is a powerful agent. It gives rise in a 
few minutes to vesication over the whole surface to which it may be 
applied; almost as rapidly, indeed, as if boiling water were placed upon 
the part. 

It need scarcely be said, that the strength of these lotions may be 
regulated so as to produce either full vesication, or simply rubefaction, 
by varying the quantity of the liquor ammonioe. 

The mode of applying these counter-irritants is, as in the case of the 
0!pum Sinapis, (p. 292,) first to impregnate with them a piece of cotton 
or linen, folded six or seven times, or a piece of thick and coarse flannel ; 
and then lay either of these on the spot, pressing with the hand, at the 
same time, very steadily and firmly on the compress, over which there 
should be placed a thick towel, doubled several times, so that not only 
the evaporation of the lotion may be impeded ; but the hand, employed in 
pressing the application to the part, may not suffer from direct or indi- 
rect contact with the liquid. Care must be taken that the ammonia does 
not reach the eyes or nose. 1 

As a general rule, the application should seldom be kept on longer 
than from one to six or eight minutes; and Dr. Granville affirms, it has 
often happened to him to find, that loss than a minute was sufficient to 
produce the desired alleviation of pain and spasm. But, in order to 
excite the higher degrees of counter-irritation, as vesication and cauteri- 
sation, as many as ten or twelve minutes may be necessary. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

There can be no doubt, that the ammoniated counter-irritants are valu- 
able agents in all those diseases, which are capable of being benefited by 
a sudden and powerful revulsion. It is chiefly, as we have elsewhere 
stated, 2 when the diseased action has been prolonged for a considerable 
period, and in affections, which belong to the neuralgic class, that rapid 
revulsions are productive of the most marked advantage. When the 
disease is of an acute character — as in the different phlegmasiae — revul- 
sives, which are more prolonged in their action, are — as a general rule 
— preferable. It is in the first class of affections, that his lotions are 
chiefly extolled by Dr. Granville ; he urges the importance of the sudden 
vesication effected by them in the treatment of many serious disorders; 
and affirms that they arrest " nervous and muscular pain almost imme- 
diately, provided it does not depend on structural disease." 3 There is 
perhaps no agent — he remarks — except boiling water, which can, in the 
space of between three and ten minutes, give rise to as ample a vesica- 
tion. But as powerful and effective a revulsion can be accomplished by 
the actual cautery in various forms, and especially — as we shall see — in 
that of the moxa. This we say from observation ; and it is a result to 
which just theory would lead us. 

1 Granville, Op. cit. Amer. edit. p. 39. 

2 General Therapeutics, p. 341. 

3 Lancet, Oct. 27, 1838. 



C0NTRA-IRR1TATI0. 399 

The ammoniated lotions are, however, devoid of the painful mental 
impression, which the dread of actual fire occasions; although we doubt 
not that, in many of the cases above referred to, such mental impression 
may exert an important agency in the cure. 

I)r. Granville gives the following, not very classically arranged, list of 
diseases, which, in the course of nine years, have appeared to him to be 
benefited by his counter-irritants. 

" A. Principally affecting the Nervous System. 

1. Acute neuralgia \ P ri ° lca . > Tic douloureaux. 

° I permanent ^ 

2. Spasms $'."■.„ ) 5%P*; n 

n r> i • \ including > fet. Vitus s Dance. 

3. Convulsions} £ Hysterics. 

4. Cramp. 

5. Brow-ague. 

6. Tetanus or lock-jaw. 

7. Highly acute toothach. 

8. Nervous headach. 

B. Principally affecting the Mvscles and Tendinous Tissues. 
9. Rheumatism. 

10. Lumbago. 

11. Swelled and highly painful articulations. 

C. Principally affecting the Circulation. 

12. Headach from fulness of blood in the head. 

13. Congestions and sudden attacks of blood in the head. 

14. Sore throat. 

15 Earlv in a ' °^ tne tracnea an d bronchia. en in ^ 

a„ m ,• " f b. of the lungs and their membranes. \ r, ° 

flammation. J fc of ^ ^ ^ pericardium< { Consump- 

D. Diseases of a Mixed Character. 

16 SuDDressed ^out I a ' Effecting tne heart. 

PP ' " 6 ' ) °- Affecting the stomach. 

17. Genuine gout. 

18. Paralytic debility. 

E. Accidental, Mechanical, and Cutaneous Derangements. 

19. Violent sprains. 

20. Pimples. 

21. Biles. 

22. The ringworm." 

Dr. Granville does not affirm, that all these disorders, and their modi- 
fications, have yielded to the ammoniated counter-irritants ; or that the 
counter-irritants were always the sole agents employed. On the con- 
trary, a few of them, he says, on particular occasions, resisted that 
agency ; others were only momentarily benefited ; and a few more re- 



400 DUNGLISON'S NEW REMEDIES. SUPPLEMENT. 

quired the simultaneous employment of ordinary and internal remedies 
to assist in, and complete, the cure. 

Among the exceptions to the general rule of success, he enumerates 
chronic tic douloureux; chronic rheumatism of long standing; epilepsy, 
dependent on organic mischief in the hrain, or any part of the spinal 
apparatus; and rheumatic gout, in persons whose constitution has been 
completely shaken by that disorder, or by any other previous disease, 
although, even in this case, some good was obtained from using the am- 
moniated counter-irritants. The second and fourth of these disorders 
are of that number which require, in addition to the ammoniated appli- 
cations, an appropriate internal treatment. The other two, Dr. Gran- 
ville has found to be only partially relieved, but never cured by counter- 
irritating lotions. 1 

In many of the disorders, referred to by Dr. Granville in the table 
given above, his ammoniated counter-irritants have biien employed both 
in public and private in this country, and especially, perhaps, in this 
city. The effect in nervous and spasmodic diseases, in neuralgic and 
deep-seated rheumatic pains, has at times been very striking. Severe 
pains have yielded rapidly, as described by Dr. Granville ; hyperemia? of 
particular organs have been diverted elsewhere, especially after blood- 
letting and sedatives had been premised ; and, in short, whenever revel- 
lents, sudden and rapid in their action, have been demanded, the ammo- 
niated counter-irritants have effected every thing that similar powerful 
revellents were capable of accomplishing, — but no more. We are in 
the habit of having recourse to the moxa in congenerous affections, 
and — as we have before remarked — with equally satisfactory results. 
There is one objection, too, that applies to the use of these strong 
lotions ; — the sloughs and sores induced by them are often considerable, 
and remarkably difficult to heal. This, it is true, may be partly pre- 
vented, by being careful that the application is not too long continued ; 
but, with the greatest caution, these results will, at times, supervene. 
When such is the case, simple dressings, with emollient poultices, will 
be found the best applications. 



2. MOXA. 

Synonyme. — Moxiburium. 

By the term moxa, the Chinese and Japanese designate a cottony sub- 
stance, which they prepare by beating the dried leaves of the artemisia 
chinensis, a kind of mugwort. With this down they form a cone, which 
is placed upon the part intended to be cauterised, and is set fire to at 
the top. 

This mode of exciting counter-irritation has been long practised by the 
Chinese and Japanese, and by the ruder nations of the old world ; but 
it was not much employed in Great Britain and France until about the 
commencement of the seventeenth century, when it was introduced 

1 Op. cit. p. 29. 



MOXA. 401 

through the agency of a physician 1 who had resided in India. It fell 
again, however, into disuse, until attention was redirected to it, during 
the last century, by Pouteau 2 and Dujardin, and, at the commencement 
of this century, by Percy and Laurent, 3 Lsrrey and others.* 

MODE OF PREPARING. 

Various agents have been used by different people, in " moxibustion," 
for so the mode of cauterisation has been termed, which consists in 
placing some combustible substance on a part of the body, and suffering 
it to burn down. From the earliest ages, the Nomades employed the 
fat wool of their flocks, as well as certain spongy substances growing 
upon oaks, 5 or springing from the hazel ; 6 the Indian the pith of the 
reed 7 , and flax or hemp impregnated with some combustible material ; s 
the Persian, the dung of the goat ; the Armenian, the agaric of the oak ; 
the Chinese and Japanese, the down of the artemisia ; the Thessalian, 
dried moss; 9 the Egyptians, the Arracanese, and several oriental nations, 
cotton ;'° the Ostiaks" and the Laplanders, 1 - the agaric of the birch ; and 
the aborigines of this continent, rotten and dried wood. Hippocrates' 3 was 
in the habit of employing fungi and flax for the same purpose. 

In modern times, also, various substances have been used for the 
fabrication of the rnoxas. Whatever article is selected, it ought to be a 
spongy, light, vegetable matter; readily combustible, and so prepared 
as to burn down slowly. In Germany, they use the tinder — amadou — 
which is known to be an agaric prepared for the purpose ; and it is not 
uncommonly employed in our hospitals, — a small disc or cylinder being 
placed on the part, and set fire to. The match used by artillerists was 
recommended by Percy, 14 after Bontius: 15 it is composed of hemp 
steeped in a solution of nitre. He likewise proposed the pith of the sun- 
flower — helianthus annuus — recommending, that the stalk should be cut 
into cylinders of the desired length, the bark being left on ; so that, 

1 Ten Rhyne, Medit. de veteri Medicin. ; Dissert, de Anthritide, Lugd. 
Bat. 1672; and Kaempfer's History of Japan, translated by Scheuchzer, vol. 
ii. append, sect. iv. Lond. 172S. 

2 Melanges de Chirurgie, p. 49. 

3 Dictionnaire des Sciences Medicales, Art. Moxibustion. 

* See, for a history of the moxa, the author's translation of Baron Larrey's 
Memoir on the use of the Moxa. Lond. 1822. 
6 Hippoc. lib. de Affect, cap. xxx. 

6 Paulus yEginet. lib. vi. cap. 49. 

7 Kuimpfer, vol. ii. app. sect. iv. p. 36. 

8 Bontius de Medicina Indorum, p. 32. 

9 Percy, in Pyrotechnic Chirurgicale pratique, p. 12. 

10 Prosper. Alpin. de Medicina yEgyptiorum, lib. iii. cap. 12. 
•' Voyages de M. Pallas, iv. 68. 

12 Acerbi's Travels through Sweden, Finland, and Lapland, ii. 291, and 
LiniKKUs, in Lachesis Lapponica, translated by Sir James Smith, i. 274. 

13 De Affect, cap. viii. 

" Op. cit. p. 77. Paris, 1811. 
,6 Op. cit. p. 32. Paris, 1645. 

12 — v dungl 26 



402 dunglison's new remedies, -supplement. 

when ignited, it may burn in the centre and be held with the hand.' This, 
he calls moxa de voleurs. 3 

The moxa, used by Larrey, and very generally employed by many 
practitioners, is made by taking a quantity of cotton wool, pressing it 
somewhat closely together, and rolling over it a piece of fine linen, which 
is fastened at the side by a few stitches. Larrey advises, that it should 
have the shape of a truncated cone — the form usually adopted — and be 
about an inch long. Commonly the cylinder is shorter than this; six 
or eight lines— as, when above six lines high, the combustion is not 
felt — and about four or five lines broad. The moxas, employed by Dr. 
Sadler, 3 of St. Petersburg, are about half an inch in diameter, and three 
quarters of an inch in height. They are composed of a nucleus formed 
of the pith of the sunflower, wrapped in layers of cotton, of various 
thickness, and surrounded with an external envelope of thin muslin; both 
of the latter being previously steeped in a solution of nitre. They are 
held, while burning, by means of two long hair pins, the legs of which 
are slightly bent, in order to accommodate them to the shape of the 
moxa ; and, when the latter is burned down to the place where it is held 
by the first hair-pin, it can be held with the other, and retained in its 
proper position. With this last view, Larrey 4 has a special porte-moxa, 
consisting of a ring to receive the cylinder, with a handle attached to it, 
and three small supports or knobs of ebony, placed beneath the ring, 
to prevent the heated metal from acting upon the surface. 

Of late years, a plan for raising vesication on the surface has been 
adopted, which, as Dr. Granville remarks, must be regarded as a kind of 
moxa. 5 This, he admits, is equally successful with the one he proposes, 
and which we have already described, (p. 396,) in forming a rapid vesi- 
cation ; " but it is, at the same time, so complicated, and attended by 
such intense pain," that, in practice, he says, it will not bear comparison 
with the preparations which he recommends. A piece of linen or paper, 
being cut of the requisite size, is immersed in spirit of wine, or brandy. 
It is then laid on the part to be blistered, care being taken that the 
moisture from the paper or linen does not wet the surrounding surface. 
The flame of a lighted taper is applied quickly over the surface, so as 
to produce a general ignition, which is exceedingly rapid. At the con- 
clusion of this operation, the cuticle is found detached from the true 
sktn beneath. 

In the application of the various moxas, or of most of them, their 
agency can be so graduated as to produce either simple rubefaction, vesi- 
cation or the formation of an eschar. Where it is desirable to pmduce 
the first result only, the cylinder of cotton may be removed when the 
pain becomes somewhat severe ; or the burning material may be held 
close to the surface, and be moved gradually along it. In this manner, 
a counter-irritant effect may be exerted along the spine or any extensive 
surface. Any burning substance — a lighted coal for example — will 

1 Art. Moxibustion, in Diet, des Sciences Medicales. 

* Merat & De Lens, Diet, de Mat. Med.. Art. Moxa. 

8 Zeitschrift fur die gesarnmte Metlicin. B. iii. H. ii. & iii. and British and 
Foreign Medical Review, July, 1837, p. 217. 

4 The author's translation of his Essay on the Moxa, p. 5. 

6 Counter-irritation, its Principles and Practice, Amer. Med. Library edit. 
p. 21 and p. 42. Philad. 1838. 



GALVANISMUS. 403 

answer for this purpose. When vesication is needed, it must be 
kept on longer ; and if it be desirable to produce an eschar, the moxa 
may have to remain on until it is wholly consumed. Larrey,' indeed, 
advises, that the blowpipe should be occasionally employed to hasten the 
combustion. When the integument has once become disorganised, the 
slough will be thrown off in due time, leaving an ulcer. Larrey says the 
sloughing can be prevented by the application ofliquid ammonia 2 to the 
burnt surface, after the moxa has been removed. This will do when the 
disorganisation is partial ; but we know, from experience, that it often 
fails. 

EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY IN DISEASE. 

The moxa — in its different forms — is doubtless a most valuable agent, 
where rapid counter-irritation is indicated. It resembles, indeed, in its 
action, the ammoniated counter-irritants of which we have already treated, 
and is applicable to the same diseases; — the only difference between 
them — when cauterisation is effected — being, that the agent in the case 
of the ammoniated lotion is a potential, in that of the moxa an actual, 
cauterant. 

The moxa must be regarded as one of our most valuable revellents. 



III. GALVANISMUS. 

Synonymes. — Galvanism, Electricitas Animalis, E. Galvanica seu Metal- 

lica, Irritamentum Metalloruin seu Metallicum. 
French. — Galvanisrne. 

The ordinary effects of common and galvanic electricity and of 
electro-majrnetism are so well known, as to require but little com- 
ment. They are decidedly excitant; and, like all excitants, when 
applied to a part of the frame, are counter-irritant or revellent. All 
have been employed in paralysis — general and local, — amaurosis, 
deafness and dumbness of recent duration, asthma, rheumatism, neu- 
ralgia, &c. The effect, however, which galvanism exerts on the con- 
tractility of the muscular fibre, and the great similarity, in its agency, 
to the nervous influence, 3 has led to its employment more frequently 
in the various nervous and spasmodic diseases referred to, and in 
others belonging to the same class. Resting on his views of the 
absolute identity between the nervous and the galvanic fluids, 4 Dr. 
Wilson Philip employed it in many diseases, and especially in asthma. 
In a paper read by him before the Royal Society of London, in Janu- 
ary, 1816, he details some experiments, which ho made on rabbits. 
The eighth pair or pneumogastric nerves were divided by incisions 

1 Op. citat. p. 5. 

» Ibid. p. 9. 

3 See the author's Physiology, i. 88, 3d edit. Philad. 1838. 

* Experimental Inquiry into the Laws of the Vital Functions, Lond. 1817. 



404 dunglison's new remedies. SUPPLEMENT. 

made in the neck. After the operation, the parsley, which the animals 
had eaten, remained unchanged in their stomachs, and after evincing 
much difficulty of breathing they seemed to die of suffocation. But 
when, in other animals, whose nerves had been divided, the galvanic 
agency was transmitted along the nerve, below its section, to a disc of 
silver, placed closely in contact with the skin of the animal, opposite to 
its stomach, no difficulty of breathing occurred. The galvanic action 
being kept up for twenty-six hours, the rabbits were then killed and the 
parsley was found digested. 

The removal of dyspnoea in these cases led Dr. Philip to employ gal- 
vanism as a remedy for asthma; and, by transmitting its influence from 
the nape of the neck to the pit of the stomach, he gave decided relief in 
every one of twenty-two cases, of which four were in private practice, 
and eighteen in the Worcester infirmary. The power employed varied 
from ten to twenty-five pair of plates. Since then, galvanism has been 
repeatedly used in such cases, and at times with marked relief. Com- 
monly, however, the plates described hereafter, are employed for this 
purpose. The disease is unquestionably in the majority of cases 
dependent upon erethism of the pneumogastric nerves ; all the phenomena 
indicate, that there is a spastic constriction of the small bronchial tubes, 
occasioned by irritation at the extremities or in the course of the nerve. 
The new impression made by the galvanic agency, breaks in upon the 
concentration of nervous action, by exciting other portions of the nervous 
system, in the same manner as we observe spasms or ordinary cramp 
relieved, or paroxysmal diseases warded off", by agents that are capable 
of suddenly impressing some part of the nervous system. 

Not long after these researches of Dr. Philip, galvanism was employed 
satisfactorily by Mr. Mansford 1 in a congenerous disease — epilepsy — and 
his plan was afterwards — although tardily — extended to some other 
paroxysmal disorders. The mode of application, recommended by 
Mansford, is as follows: 

A portion of the cuticle, of the size of a sixpence, is removed by means 
of a small blister on the back of the neck, as close to the root of the hair 
as possible; and a similar portion is removed from the hollow, beneath, 
and on the inside of, the knee, as the most convenient place. To the 
excoriated surface on the neck, a plate of silver, varying — according to 
the age of the patient — from the size of a sixpence to that of a half crown, 
is applied, having attached to its back part a handle or shank, and to 
its lower edge — and parallel with the shank — a small staple, to which 
the conducting wire is fastened. This wire passes down the back, until 
it reaches a belt of chamois leather, buttoned round the waist; it then 
follows the course of the belt to which it is attached, until it arrives oppo- 
site the groin of the side on which we desire to employ it ; it then 
passes down the inside of the thigh, and is fastened to the zinc plate in 
the same manner as to the silver one. The apparatus, contrived in this 
way, is thus applied. A small piece of sponge, moistened in water, and 
corresponding in size to the blistered part of the neck, is first placed 
directly upon it; over this, a large piece of the same size as the metallic 
plate, also moistened, is laid, and next to this, the plate itself, which 
is secured in its situation by a strip of adhesive plaster passed through 

! Researches into the nature and causes of Epilepsy, &c, Bath, 18J9. 



GALVANISMUS. 405 

the shank in its back ; another above, and another beiow it. If these be 
properly placed, and the wire, which passes down the back be allowed 
sufficient room that it may not drag, the plate will not be moved from its 
position by any ordinary motion of the body. The zinc plate is fastened 
in the same manner, but in place of the second layer of sponge, a piece 
of muscle answering in size to the zinc plate is interposed ; that is — a 
small piece of moistened sponge being first fitted to the exposed surface 
below the knee, the piece of muscle moistened, or — what we have found 
equally effectual and less inconvenient — a piece of moistened flannel' 
follows, and on this the plate of zinc. 

The apparatus, thus arranged, will continue, according to Mr. Mans- 
ford, in gentle and uninterrupted action from twelve to twenty-four hours, 
according to circumstances. " This last is the longest period that it can 
be allowed to go unremoved ; the sores require cleaning and dressing, 
and the surface of the zinc becomes covered with a thick oxide, which 
must be removed to restore its freedom of action : this may be done by 
scraping or polishing; but it will be better if removed twice a day, both 
for the greater security of a permanent action, and for the additional 
comfort of the patient." 

The adoption of this plan of treatment in cases of tic douloureux, the 
confidence reposed by Laennec in the use of galvanic plates on the breast 
and back in angina pectoris and similar neuralgic affections of the chest, 
and the communications of Drs. Harris and Chapman, brought it into very 
extensive use, so that ample trial was given to it in this country both in 
public and private practice. In three cases, it was — to employ the lan- 
guage of Professor Chapman 2 — " triumphantly directed" by Dr. Harris; 
but it was only found effectual in affections of the face; and in these 
cases it had to be persevered in for some time before marked benefit was 
experienced. 3 About the same period, this mode of applying galvanism 
was recommended by Dr. Miller, 4 of Washington University, Baltimore, 
and a case of paraplegia and another of general paralysis were adduced 
by him in which it was found highly efficacious. 

There are doubtless — as we have observed — cases in which the exci- 
tant and revulsive agency of galvanism may be employed with advantage, 
but they are not so numerous as was at one time believed. We have 
used the plates extensively — in neuralgic cases especially — but have not 
experienced so much success, as to induce us to advise them frequently, 
under the inconvenience that necessarily accompanies their employment. 
They are, indeed, at this time, but little used. 

Some years ago, Professor Von Hildenbrand, of Pavia, 5 recommended, 
in cases of frontal neuralgia, an anodyne metallic or galvanic brush, 
which appears to have been as effectual in his hands as the galvanic 
plates in those of Dr. Harris. It consists of a bundle of metallic wires 
not thicker than common knitting needles, firmly tied together by wire 
of the same material, so as to form a cylinder of about four or five 
inches long, and an inch or three fourths of an inch in diameter. This 

1 Dr. Chapman says soft buckskin or parchment. American Journal of 
the Medical Sciences, Aug. 1834, p. 311. 

2 Op. citat. p. 311. 

3 Dr. Harris, in Amet. Journal of the Medical Sciences, Aug. 1834, p. 384. 

4 Ibid. p. 321. 

6 Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, April, 1833. 



406 dunglison's new remedies. SUPPLEMENT. 

is applied to the pained part, previously moistened with a solution of 
common salt; and, according to Von Hildenbrand, it at times produces 
relief so instantaneous, that it appears to the patients to act like a charm. 
In his first experiments, he employed brushes constructed of two kinds of 
metal, — for instance, of silver and copper wire, copper and zinc wire, or 
zinc and brass wire, the individual wires being mutually commingled ; 
but he subsequently ascertained, that bundles of wires of one and the 
same metal produced an effect scarcely less speedy, and that solid metallic 
bodies acted in a similar manner, but in a much feebler degree. The nature 
of the metal he thinks occasions no difference. 

It is not probable, however, that, in these cases, galvanism is the 
agency concerned. Like the metallic tractors of Perkins, the effect is 
probably induced by the new nervous impression made through the 
excited imagination of the patient. 

Animal Magnetism — Mesmerism, Neurogamia, Biogamia, Biomag- 
netismus, Zoomagnetismus, Tellurismus, Exoneurism, as it has been 
termed — exerts an anodyne influence in probably the same manner. In 
highly impressible persons, more or less prolonged impressions made 
upon the senses — as by the operator looking steadfastly in the eyes of the 
patient; holding her thumbs or hands in his at the same time, or making 
passes in front of her — will induce an hysteric or hysteroid condition, in 
which the patient may fall into what is called " magnetic sleep," of a 
very sound, and at times cataleptic, character: during the existence of 
this sleep, she may be insensible to certain irritants, and yet extremely 
alive to others, so that operations — as the extraction of teeth, and even 
others of a more serious character — may be performed without eliciting 
the ordinary evidences of feeling. In cases of delirium tremens, accom- 
panied by watchfulness, in which we have the whole nervous system 
extremely impressible, sleep may be at times induced by the employ- 
ment of this agency, which has resisted the ordinary anodynes.' 

Lastly. Of late years, it has been proposed to introduce into the 
rectum, in cases of constipation, a kind of galvanic suppository, made of 
two metals — zinc and copper — and various forms of instruments have 
been devised by the prolific imaginations of the inventors; those intended 
for the rectum simply, were doubtless of advantage, at times, by virtue of 
the excitation they induced in the nerves of the mucous membrane. 
Others, formed somewhat like a bassoon — and so arranged as to have one 
metal in the mouth and the other in the rectum connected together by 
metal — did not appear to act differently from those of the simpler form. 
Both have gone into disuse, and — as we have said elsewhere 2 — if their 
efficacy on the frame has not been well marked, they have not failed to 
minister to the pockets of their inventors. 

1 Dr. Vedder, in American Medical Intelligencer, Feb. 1, 1839, p. 331. 

2 General Therapeutics, p. 248, Philad. 1S30. 



INJECTIONS INTO THE EUSTACHIAN TUBE. 407 



III. INJECTIONS OF AIR, VAPOUR OF ETHER, &c. INTO 
THE EUSTACHIAN TUBE. 

An important improvement, in the understanding and treatment of 
diseases of the ear, has resulted from the attention that has been paid, of 
late, to the pathological conditition of the Eustachian tube, and the 
means through it of rectifying certain morbid states of the organ of 
hearing. A mystery has been thrown, or attempted to be thrown, over 
the diseases of the ear, and as a consequence, they have furnished largely 
to empiricism; so that an exclusive aurist has been, too often, perhaps, 
esteemed synonymous with an exclusive empiric. Now, that the phy- 
siology of the outer and middle ear is better understood, their patholo- 
gical relations are no longer environed with the same difficulties. The 
attention of the surgeon has to be first directed to the meatus externus, 
and if he discovers any obstacle, — as hardened cerumen, — which prevents 
the vibrations of a sonorous body from reaching the membrana tympani, 
such obstacle must be removed. If no defect exists there, he inquires 
into the state of the Eustachian tube, to detect, whether it be pervious 
so as to permit a free passage for the air from the throat to the middle 
ear — any impediment to which is a common cause of deafness ; and, lastly, 
if ths tube is found in a state of integrity, his attention is turned to the 
condition of the nerve, to discover whether the defect — organic or func- 
tional — be seated there. Such are the main subjects of inquiry in cases 
of deafness; although the condition of the membrana tympani, of the 
ossicles, and the mastoid cells become interesting incidental objects of 
inquiry. 

Chronic inflammation of the Eustachian tube occasionally gives rise to 
stricture or narrowness of the tube ; and, at others, to obstruction of the 
tube by means of mucus, or to accumulation of mucus in the tympanic 
cavities. In the former case, catheterism is demanded; in the latter, 
injections of air, in addition. 

For the purpose of catheterism, various instruments have been em- 
ployed. The catheter of Itard is a conical silver tube, curved at the 
extremity, with a slight enlargement to prevent laceration of the mem- 
brane. Kramer's instrument is a modification of that of Itard ; the curve 
is more gradual, and the enlarged or button point is omitted. It is made 
of silver, six inches long, and of a calibre varying from the size of a 
small crow-quill to that of a large goose-quill. The extremity is well 
rounded, and it is curved, only to the distance of five lines from the point, 
exactly at an angle of 144°, so as to correspond with the lateral situ- 




( Reduced One half. 1 

ation of the mouth of the Eustachian tube. It is of the same calibre 
throughout its whoh length, ;i nd provided with a funnel-shaped dila- 
tation at the outer extremity, half an inch in length, to admit the pipe 
of the injecting syringe, &c To this part is attached a ring, on 



408 



DUNGLISOn's NEW REMEDIES. SUPPLEMENT. 



the same level with the beak of the catheter, by means of which the 
situation of the beak can be ascertained, when the instrument is intro- 
duced. 

The catheter is farther graduated in inches, which is convenient in 
repeated introductions. 1 

When it is requisite to sound the Eustachian tube, a piece of catgut 
may he passed through the instrument. 

The catheter recommended recently by Mr. Pilcher 3 admits of being 
passed farther into the tube, and has a more gradual curve. 

Deleau employs a flexible elastic gum catheter, which the patient 
learns readily to pass into the Eustachian tube, and, by turning down the 
outer extremity, is able to inflate the tube with his own breath. This 
we have seen done repeatedly. 

The silver instrument being slightly warmed and oiled, is introduced, with 
its convexity upwards, along the floor of the nostrils until the point reaches 
the pharynx ; it is then gently turned, so that the point shall be outwards 
and a little upwards, the aperture of the Eustachian tube being above the 
level of the floor of the nose ; in this way, the tube enters, and is readily 
felt by the operator to have done so. The instrument is then carried 
onwards, until its farther progress is prevented by the narrowness of the 
tube. Mr. Pilcher's instrument is of such dimensions as to frequently 
occupy three quarters of an inch of the tube; but if it be pushed beyond 
the fibro-cartilaginous portion — or that part of the tube, which readily 
admits it — the mucous membrane may be lacerated, and pain will cer- 
tainly be produced. 3 

When Mr. Pilcher's catheter is fairly introduced, it will remain with- 
out support, an advantage it possesses — in the opinion of its proposer — 
over those of Itard and Kramer, which require a frontal bandage to 
retain them in situ. Itard's is represented in the accompanying figure. 
It consists of a middle piece ntade of metal, bent so as to fit the arch of 

WML 




the forehead, and slightly padded within ; to this are attached two straps, 
which fasten with a buckle. To the centre of the middle piece, a pair of 
forceps are attached, which move in a ball and socket joint, and the blades 
of which are brought together by a screw. The bandage is applied, before 
the catheterism is commenced ; and when the instrument is introduced, the 
forceps are brought down, and screwed tight on the catheter, so as to 
retain it in position. 

Through the catheter, thus introduced, aurists were in the habit of 
introducing lukewarm water through the Eustachian tube into the cavity 



1 Kramer, on Diseases of the Ear, chap. 2, Amer. Med. Library Edit. 
Philad. 1838. 

2 A Treatise on the Structure, Economy and Diseases of the Ear, p. 304, 
Lond. 1838. 

3 Op. cit. p. 305. 



INJECTIONS INTO THE EUSTACHIAN TUBE. 409 

of the tympanum ; but owing to certain objections that apply to the 
employment of fluids, Deleau 1 suggested the air-douche or injections of 
air for the purpose of clearing the cavity ; and this is regarded by Kramer 3 
as a great improvement. With the view of increasing and regulating the 
force with which the air is sent into the cavity, both these gentlemen 
invented air-pressers or condensers. The figure beneath represents that 
of Kramer. 




c b is a cylinder, 10i inches high, made of molten brass ; the diameter of 
its calibre is 44 inches, and it is fastened at b with strong screws, on a strong 
oaken stand of the height of an ordinary stool. Within the cylinder c b is a 
pump barrel of wrought brass screwed into it, which measures lOh inches in 
height, and 24 inches in diameter, rising at d <7 3 inches out of the cylinder, 
so that the whole machine a b is about 13 inches high. In the piston of the 
pump barrel, there is a valve for the passage of the air, which besides passes 
in at the opening situate at d. There is a second valve in the bottom of 
the pump barrel, through which the air is forced into the interior of the 
cylinder. 

When air is injected into the tympanum, it may be heard to strike 
against the membrane, and to rush through the cavity into the mastoid 
cells, and thus may become a means of exploring the condition of the 
middle ear. 

Mr. Pilcher, rt however, observes, that from his daily experience of the 
great facility with which air and fluids may be introduced into the tym- 
panum, and regulated, both as to quantity and force, by means of a com- 
mon syringe accurately fitted to the catheter, he does not hesitate to declare 
his conviction, that the ceremony and inconvenience of the air-press may 

1 Sur le Cathete-isme de la trompe d'Eustache, &c, Paris, 1828; Itard 
in Mem. de l'Academ. Royale de Medecine, Tom. v. Fasc. 4, Paris, 1836; 
and translation in Medical and Surgical Monagraphs, vol. 1, p. 75. of Amer. 
Med. Library, p. 86, Philad. 1838. 

2 Op. citat. p. 164. 

3 Op. cit. p. 307. 



410 DUNGLISON's NEW REMEDIES. — SUPPLEMENT. 

be dispensed with. He recommends that the operator should merely 
steady the instrument with his left hand, whilst he uses the syringe with 
his right. By this means, any fluid or gas injected through the catheter, 
may be brought in contact, with the mucous membrane, and thus stimu- 
late the nerves of the cavity. 

Nor is the air-press entirely devoid of danger. Very recently, a case 
has been detailed in which, after " pumping air" four times through the 
nostrils into the Eustachian tube, immediately on removing the instru- 
ment from the nostril, the patient fell back in the chair and never spoke 
afterwards. 1 The sudden shock to the nervous system was probably the 
cause of death ; and it has been suggested, that to avoid too great a 
degree of pressure, the nozzle of the tube of the air-press should be held 
during the operation so loosely in the dilated end of the catheter, that 
there may be room for air to regurgitate; 3 and likewise, that instead of 
sending in the air by dovches or charges — it should be transmitted in a 
gentle and continued stream. 

Another circumstance, which shows the importance of care, is the 
fact, that the mucous membrane may be ruptured, and serious emphyse- 
matous tumefaction be occasioned. 

It is proper, moreover, to observe, that the results of 25S cases, treated 
by Itard 3 are far from encouraging. Of these, but two cases of cure are 
said to have been effected, and in this result, according to Itard, other 
causes concurred; whence he infers, first, that as a means of exploring 
obstructions of the tympanum by the crepitation, which often accom- 
panies them, douches of air can afford no certain index ; and secondly, that 
as a mechanical agent for deterging or evacuating obstructing matters, 
they can only dislodge and force them together; and, consequently, that 
both in the second and first point of view, douches of air do not deserve 
the confidence of" the profession. 4 

The vapour of acetous ether has recently been injected into the middle 
ear, in cases of nervous deafness, of which Kramer 5 manes two varieties, 
noise in the ear constituting the essential point of difference between 
them. The noise in the ear belongs, without exception, to the erethitic 
form, whilst it is foreign to the torpid. In cases of nervous deafness, Itard 
proposed to introduce ethereous vapour through the catheter, and to gene- 
rate this vapour in an apparatus, in which the ether is dropped on a saucer 
of red hot iron, by the heat of which it is vapourised. The ether is, how- 
ever, decomposed in this manner, so that it is not ethereous vapour, which 
enters the tympanum, but an acrid very irritating kind of gas, which, 
according to Kramer, is well suited to the torpid form of nervous deaf- 
ness, but is positively injurious in the erethitic variety. He considers 
the attempt to vapourise acetous ether in a flask, placed in warm water, 
and connected by means of a tube with the cavity of the tympanum, to 
belong to the same class of methods, which act in too irritating and inju- 
rious a manner, owing to the vapour being given off far too rapidly. This 

1 London Med. Gazette, July 6, 1839, p. 538, and American Medical Intel- 
ligencer, Aug. 15, 1839, p. 150. 

1 British and Foreign Medical Review, July, 1839, p. 95. 

* Op. citat. 

4 See, on this subject, Mr. T. Wharton Jones, in Lond. Med. Gaz., Aug. 3 
& 10. 1839. 

6 Op. citat. 211. 



INJECTIONS INTO THE EUSTACHIAN TUBE. 



411 



inconvenience he proposes to remedy, in the erethitic form of nervous 
deafness, in the following way. A large glass flask — represented in the 
accompanying figure — holding about ten quarts is firmly and closely 




stopped with a cork through which are passed two brass tubes, each 
provided with a cock ; one of these tubes is connected above with a 
funnel for dropping in the fluid, and the other with an air-tight tube 
to conduct the vapour, generated and inclosed within the flask, into the 
cavity of the tympanum. When the apparatus is to be used, the cork 
is to be firmly fixed into the neck of the flask, with the two tubes 
attached, and the cocks closed ; the proper quantity of ether is then to 
be poure»! into the funnel, and forced into the flask by a gentle expiration, 
where it is converted into thin vapour at the ordinary temperature of the 
room. This vapour fills the interior of the flask equably, and is, indeed, 
in a state of slight condensation, so that when the metallic tip of the tube 
is connected with the catheter, and the cock is opened, the vapour issues 
with a whizzing sound. 

Having previously introduced the catheter, through the nose, into the 
mouth of the Eustachian tube, and placed it in connection with the tube 
of the vapour apparatus, the patient is to sit near a table, and leaning his 
arm upon it, with the corresponding hand he is to hold the tube of the 
apparatus, in such a manner that it may remain in close connection with 
the catheter. Each sitting occupies a quarter of an hour, and is repeated 
daily, applying the vapour alternately to the right and to the left ear. 

It is unnecessary to make use of warm water to pour into the flask, 
as the ordinary temperature of the room is sufficient to vapourise the 
ether. 

In the torpid form of nervous deafness this method of procedure does 
not answer, owing to the necessity of greater excitement than it is capa- 
ble of effecting. In such case, a modification of the apparatus of Itard 
has been proposed by Kramer. In consequence of the metallic saucer in 
Itard's becoming cool more than once during a single sitting, and re- 



412 



DUNGLISON'S NEW REMEDIES. — SUPPLEMENT. 



quiring to be exchanged for a hot one ; as a necessary consequence the 
temperature of the vapour generated never remains, for a moment, the 
same, but varies extremely; immediately after the insertion of the red- 
hot saucer, the vapour issues burning hot into the ear, and, in a few 
minutes sinks to a very low temperature. These evils Kramer proposes 
to rectify in the following manner. The floor on which the bell-glass of 
the apparatus rests is substituted by a thin metal plate, which is warmed, 




at pleasure, by an oil lamp placed beneath, so that the ethereous fluid 
falling on it, is thus conducted through the catheter into the middle ear. 
Through the cover of the apparatus, a thermometer, with a metallic 
scale, passes down almost to the bottom, and indicates the temperature at 
which the ethereous vapour passes into the ear. 

After a sitting or two — if the individual is to be benefited by the plan 
in either form of deafness, an improvement ought to be perceptible. 

This course of treatment, aided, occasionally, by attention to the state 
of the system, has, in Kramer's hands, been attended with satisfactory 
results, and has been adopted with advantage by others with a more or 
less modified apparatus.' 

The only published case, in this country, of the successful application 
of the acetous ether in erethitic deafness, is by Dr. Bolton, of Rich- 
mond, Virginia. 3 The hearing distance was amazingly improved by it, 
and the success far exceeded the operator's most sanguine expectations. 

The vapour proves, however, at times too irritating, or occasions 
results by no means to be desired. The Author was applied to in one 
case in consequence of inflammation having supervened in the mucous 
membrane, which subsequently extended, in the erysipelatous form, 
over the cutaneous surface. It yielded, however, to appropriate treat- 
ment. 



1 Pilcher, Op. cit. p. 318. 

'American Medical Intelligencer, April 1, 1839, p. 1. 



INDEX 



NEW REMEDIES. 



Acctum ligneum, 15. 

Acid, auric, 66. Hydriodic, liquid, 254. 
Hydrocyanic, 1. Hydrocyanic, medi- 
cinal, 1, 11. Lactic, 13. Of milk, 15. 
Oxymuriatic, liquid, 109. Prussic, 1. 
Pyroligneous, 15. Pyrolignic, 15. 

Acide hydrocyanique, 1. Lactique, 13. 
Prussique, 1. Pyroacetique, 15. Pyro- 
ligneux, 15. Pyrolignique, 15. 

Acidum aceticum empyreumaticum, 15. 
Borussicum, 1. Caincae, 83. Hydro- 
cyanicum, I. Lacteum, 13. Lactis, 13. 
Ligni pyro-oleosum, 15. Marinum de- 
phlogislicatum, 103. Muriaticum oxy- 
genatum, 103. Muriaticum oxygenatum 
ad contagia, 103. Prussicum, 1. Pyro- 
aceticum, 15. Pyrolignosum, 15. Zoo- 
ticum, 1. Zoolinicum, 1. 

Aconita, 19. 

Aconite, extract of, alcoholic, 22. Extract 
of, ammoniated, 22. 

Aconitine, 19. 

Acqua Binclli, 32. 

Acupuncturation, 23. 

Acupuncture, 23. 

jEsculine, 216. 

jEsculus hippocastanum, 216. 

jEther hydrocyanicus, 30. Prussicus, 30. 

Agaric blanc, 73. 

Agaricus albus, 73. 

Agothosma crenatum, 161. 

Aimant, 260. 

Air douches into the Eustachian tube, 409- 

Akonitin, 19. 

Akupunktur, 23. 

Alaunerde, reinc, 43. 

Alcali vegctabile salito-dcphlogislicatum, 
300. 

Alcool de soufre, 3G3. 

Alcohol Ralph oris, 363. 

Alcxitcrium cliloricum, 103. 



Alumina, pure, 43. 

Alumine lactice, 43. 

Ammonia, arseniate of, 45. 

Ammoniaque, arseniate d', 45. 

Ammoniated counter-irritants, 395. 

Ammonium arsenicum, 45. Arseniksaures, 
45. 

Amylum iodatum, 257. 

Antidynous counter-irritants, 395. 

Aqua amygdalarum, 31. Balsamica arte- 
rialis, 32. Binelli, 32. Chlorini, 109. 
Natri oxymuriatici, 348. Oxygenata 
muriatica, 109. Oxygen-omuriatica, 
109. Oxy muriatica, 109. Picis, 33. 

Arbor vitse, American, 372. 

Argent, chlorure d', 39. Cyanure d', 41. 
Iodure d', 42. Oxide d\ 42. Et d'am- 
moniaque, chlorure d', 39. 

Argenti chloridum, 39. Cyanidum, 41. 
Ioduretum, 42. Muriatico-ammoniati 
liquor, 40. Oxidum, 42. Et ammoniaci 
chloruretum, 39. Et ammonise chlori- 
dum, 39. Praeparata, 36. 

Argentuin chloratum, 39. Cyanogena- 
tum, 41. Divisum, 41. Iodatum, 42. 
Limatum,41. Muriaticum, 39. Muria- 
ticum amtnoniatum, 39. Oxydatum, 
42. Salitum, 39. 

Ar<;il, pure, 43. 

Armoise commune, 48. 

Arnica, 45. Montana, 45. Plauensis, 45. 

Arniquc, 45. 

Arsenias pntassoc acidus, 171. 

Arsenic, iodide of, 47. 

Arscnici indidum, 47. 

Arscnikiodilr, 47. 

Artemisia vulgaris, 48. Extractum resi- 
nosum, 51. 

Asparayi officinalis turioncs, 53. 

Asparagus shoots, 53. 

Aspidium filix mas, 196. 



414 



INDEX OF NEW RKtlKDIES. 



Athyrium filix mas, 196. 

Auri chloretum, 60. Ctiloretum cum chlo- 
reto natrii, 63. Chloridum, 6(J. Chlo- 
ruretum, 60. Cyanidum, 58. Cyanu- 
retum, 58. Iodidum, 59. Murias, 60. 
Nitromurias, 65. Oxydum, 66. Prte- 
parata, 54. Pulvis, 59. Terchloridum, 
60. Teroxidum, 66. Et sodii chloru- 
rctum, 63. Et sodii perchloruretum, 63. 
Aurico-natricum murias, 63. 

Aurum chloratum, 6'». Cliloratum natro- 
naturn, 63. Limatutn, 59. Metallicum, 
59. Muriaticum, 60, 63. Muriaticum 
natronatum, 63. Nitrico-muriaticum, 
65. Oxydatum, 66. Oxydulalum muri- 
aticum, 60. Salituin, 60. 

Bachelor's buttons, 276. 

Balaustier, 208. 

Ballota lanata, 67. 

Bark, resinous constituent of the, 331. 

Barosma crenata, 161. 

Baryi iodati hydras, 69. Iodidum, 69. 

Baryt hydriodsaurer, 69. 

Baryta, hydriodate of, 69. 

Barytin, 378. 

Baryum, iodide of, 69. 

Beifusswurzel, 48 Gemeiner, 48. 

Berberina, 70. 

Bergerthran, 285. 

Berliner Biau, 179. 

Betoine des Savoyards, 45. 

Bignonia catalpa, 72. 

Binellisches Wasser, 32. 

Biogamia, 406. 

Biomagnetismus, 406. 

Bisulphuretum carbonii, 363. 

Bitter almonds, water of, 31. 

Bittermandelwasser, 31. 

Blausaure, 1. 

Blausaures Eisenoxydulzinkoxyd, 387. 

Blaustoffeisen, 179. 

Blaustoffquecksilber, 219. 

Blaustoffsilber, 41. 

Blaustoffzink, 387. 

Ble cornu 338. 

Bleiiodid, 298. 

Bleu de Prusse, 179. 

Blue, Prussian, 179. 

Bocchoe, 161. 

Bocho, 161. 

Bole, Armenian, 43. 

Boletus Albus, 73. Laricis,73. Purgans,73. 

Boocho, 161. 

Brayera anthelmintica, 73. 

Brechstoff, 166. 

Brom, 74. 

Brotne. 74. 

Bromeisen, 172. 

Bromiduin potassii, 303. 

Bromiue, 74. 

Bromkalium, 303. 

Bromqueckailber, 218. 

Brucine, 78. 



Buccubliitter, 161. 

Buchu, 161. 

Buckeye, 216. 

Coeruleum Beroliniense, 179. Borussicum, 

179. 
Cahincse radix, 80. 
Cainanse radix, 80. 
Cainca root, 80. 
Caincoe acidum, 83. 
Calcar, 338. 
Calcaria chlorata, 83. Chloricn, 83. Chlo- 

return, 83. 
Calcarise clilorum, 83. 
Calcii oxycliloruretum, 83. Oxydichloru- 

retum, 83. Proto-chloruretum, 83. 
Calcis bichloruretum, 83. Chloridum, 83. 

Hypochloris, 83. Oxytnurias, 83. 
Calcium, oxide de, chlorure d', 83. Pro- 

toxichlorure de, 83. 
Calendula Alpina, 45. Officinalis, 92. Sa- 
liva, 92. 
Calenduline, 93. 
Caltha Alpina, 45. Saliva, 92. 
Calx chlorinata, 83. Oxymurialica, 83. 
Caninanae radix, 80. 
Carbo animalis, 95. Carnis, 95. Mineralis, 

176. 
Carbon, sesqui-iodide of, 99. Sesqui-iodu- 

ret of, 99. 
Carboneum sulphuratum, 363. 
Carbonis sesqui-iodidum, 99. Sesquiiodu- 

rclum,99. 
Carbure de soufre, 363. 
Carburet of sulphur, 363. 
Carrageen moss, 198. 
Castanea equina, 216. Pavina, 216. 
Catalpa, 72. Arborea, 72. Arborescens, 

72. Cordifolia, 72. Tree, 72. 
Cataputia minor, 169. 
Catawba tree, 72. 

Catheterism of the Eustachian tube, 407. 
Cedre blanc, 372. 
Cetrarine, 99. 
Charbon animal, 95. 
Charcoal, animal, 95. 
Chaux, chlorure de, 83. Chlorate de, 83. 

Muriate suroxigene ou oxigene de, 83. 

Oxichlorure de, 83. Oximuriate de, 83. 

Souschlorate He, 83. 
Chestnut, horse, 216. 
Chimaphila, 101. 
Chimophila, 101. 

Chinicus citras, 318. Hydrochloricus, 320. 
Chinii acetas, 318. Ferrocyanas, 319. 

Hydrochloras, 320. Nitras, 321. Phos- 

phas, 321. 
Chinin, 316. 
Chinin, eisenblausaures, 319. Essigsaures, 

318. Phosphorsaures, 321. Saltpeter- 

saures, 321. Salzsaures, 320. Zitron- 

saures, 318. 
Chinini citras, 318. Phosphas, 321. 
Chininum, 316. 



:ndex of new remedies. 



415 



Chinioidine, 332. 

Chinium, 316. Aceticum, 318. Ferrocy- 

anogenatum,319. Hydrochloricnm, 320. 

Muriaticum, 320. Nitricum, 321. Phos- 

phoricum, 321. Salitum, 320. 
Chinoidine, 332. 
Chiococcae radix, 80. 
Chlor, 103. 

Chloras kalicus depuratus, 300. 
Chlorate de potasse, 300. 
Chlore, 103. Eau de, 109. Liquidc, 109. 
Chlorgas, 103. 
Chlorgold, 60. 
Chlorgoldnatronium, 63. 
Chlori aqua, 109. Liquor, 109. 
Chloride of soda, 348. Of zinc, 384. 
Chlorine, 103. Solution of, 109. 
Chlorini aqua, 109. 
Chlorinurn, 103. 
Chlorkalk, 83. 
Chlornatron, 348. 
Chlorsilber, 39. 
Chlorum, 103. 
Chlorure d'oxide de sodium, 348. De 

soude, 348. 
Chloruretum oxidi sodii, 348. Potassse 

oxidatum, 300. 
Chlorwasser, 109. 

Chondrus crispus, 198. Polymorphus, 198. 
Chrysanthemum, 92. 
Cinchonine, 115. 

Clavis secalinus, 338. Siliginis, 338. 
Cocosnussolseife, 336. 
Codeine, 118. 
Codliveroil,285. 
Colchicine, 124. 

Colchicum, 123. Autumnale, 123. 
Colchique, 123. 

Compression, 391. Methodical, 391. 
Contra-irrilatio, 395. 
Cortex adstringens Brasiliensis, 129. 
Counter-action, 395. 
Counter-irritant lotions, Granville's, 395. 

Ammoniatcd, 395. Antidynous, 395. 

Gondrel's, 395. Granville's, 395. 
Counter irritation, 395. 
Crayon noir. 176. 
Creasote, 131. 
Creosote, 131. 
Cresson de Para, 350. 
Crocus martia apcriens, 173. 
Croton oil, 281. 
Crusadinha raiz, 80. 
Cubtbaimn extracti hydro-alcoholici ffithe- 

rei syrupus, 158. 
Cubcbine, 295. 
Cubebs, 154. 
Cyanather, 30. 
Cyanciscn, 179. 
Cyaneisenzink, 387. 
Cyanidum potussii, 305. 
CyanUulium, 305. 
Cyanquecksilber, 219. 



Cyansilber, 41. 

Cyanure de zinc, 387. 

Cyanuretum tcrrozincicum, 387. 

Cyanwasserstoffsaure, 1. 

Cyanzink, 387. 

Delphmine, 158. 

Derosne's opiumsalz. 274. 

Diosma crenata, 161. 

Diosmine, 161. 

Doronic d'Allemagne, 45. 

Doronicum Germanicum, 45. Plantaginis 
folio, 45. 

Druck, 391. 

Duitstrauchblatter, 161. 

Eau d'amandes ameres, 31. De goudron, 
33. Medicinale d'Husson, 126. 

Eisencyanurcyanid, 179. 

Eisenoxyd, eisenblausaures, 179. 

Eisenoxydhydrat, 190. 

Eisenoxydul arseniksaures, 170. Blau- 
saures, 179. Hydriodsaures, 182. Koh- 
lensaures, 173. 

Eisenpraparate, 170. 

Electricitas animalis, 403. Galvanica seu 
metallica, 403. 

Electro-magnetism, 403. 

Electropunctura, 163. 

Elixir odontalgicum, 350. 

Emetina, 166. 

Ergot, 338. 

Ether, hydrocyanic, 30. Acetous, injec- 
tions of, into the Eustachian tube, 410. 
Prussic, 30. 

Euphorbia lathyris, 169. 

Eupatorium huaco, 213. 

Exoneurism, 406. 

Extractum opii aceticum, 271. 

Extrait savonneux de 1'urine, 373. 

Fallkraut, 45. 

Farrenkraut, 196. 

Fer, arseniate de, 170. Bromure de, 172. 
Carbiire de, 176. Hydrate dcutocyanure 
de, 179. Hydriodate dc, 182. lodure 
de, 182. Preparations de, 170. Proto- 
iodure de, l v 2. Souscarbonate de, 173. 
Triiohydmcyanate ferrure de, 179. Tri- 
to-hydro-ferro-cyanate de, 179. 

Fern, mule, 196. 

Ferri arsenias, 170. Borussias, 179. Car- 
bonas prsecipilatus, 173. Carburetum, 
176. Cyanuretum, 179. Deutocarbonaa 
fusi.us, 173. Ferrocyanas, 179. Hydri- 
orlns, 182 H\drobromas, 172. Iodidum, 
182. luduretum, 182. Nitratis liquor, 
189. Nitrici oxydali liquor, 189. Oxydi 
ferrocyanas, 179. Oxydum fuscum, 173. 
Percyunidum, 179. Persesquinitratis 
liqix.r, 189. PraBpaiata, 170 Sesqui- 
cv.inidiim, 179. Sesquioxydum, 173. 
Siibc.irbnnas, 173. Supercarburetum, 
176. 

Ferrum nrs. niatum, 170. Arsenicicum 
oxydulatum, 170. Borussicum, 179. 



416 



INDEX OF NEW REMEDIES. 



Ferrum — continued. 

Brumatum, 172. Carbonatum, 176. Car- 
bonatum praecipitatum, 173. Carboni- 
cum oxydulatum, 173. Carburetum, 
176. Cyanogenatum, 179. Cyanuretum, 
179. Hydriodatum, 182. Hydroiodi- 
cutn oxydulatum, 182. Iodatum, 182. 
Nitratum, 189. Oxydatum hydratum, 
190. Oxydulatum hydrocyanicum, 179. 
Zooticum, 179. 

Filix mas, 196. 

Fleckblume falsche, 350. 

Fleischkoble,95. 

Fougere male, 196. 

Fucus crispus, 198. 

Fuligo, 200. Ligni, 200. Splendens, 200. 

Fumigatio muriatico-oxygenata, 103. 

Fumigation de clilor, 103. De Guyton, 103. 
Guytonienne, 103. Hygienique, 103. 

Fungus of the larch, 73. Laricis, 73. 

Galeopsis grandiflora, 204. Ochroleuca, 
204. Segetum, 204. Versicolor, 205. 
Villosa, 204. 

Galvanic brush, 405. Plates, 404. Suppo- 
sitory, 406. 

Galvanism, 403. 

Galvanopuncture, 164. 

Gebarpulver, 338. 

Gegenreizung, 395. 

Gentianine, 206. 

Gerbsaure, 368. 

Gerbestoff, 368. 

Gerbstoffblei, 299. 

Gichtthran, 285. 

Glanzruss, 200. 

Gold, chloride of, 60. Cyanide of, 58. 
Cyanuret of, 58. Iodide of, 59. Me- 
tallic, 59. Muriate of, 60. Natrum 
chlorid, 63. Natrum saizsaures, 63. 
Oxide of, 66. Oxydirtes, 66. Oxydttl 
saizsaures, 60. Peroxide of, 66. Prapa- 
rate, 54. Pulver, 59. Saltpetersalzsaures, 
65. Saizsaures, 60. Tercyanide of, 58. 
And soda, hydrochlorate of, 63. And 
soda, muriate of, 63. And sodium, chlo- 
ride of; 63. 

Gondret's counter-irritants, 395. 

Granutbaum, 208. 

Granatin, 209. 

Granatum, 208. 

Granatwurzelrinde, 208. 

Granville's counter-irritants, 395. 

Graphite, 176. 

Grenadier, 208. 

Grenadine, 209. 

Guaco, 213. 

Haloidum oxygenatum, 300. 

Hanfnessel, grossblumigte, 204. 

Harnstoff, 373. 

Herba sideritidis, 204. 

Herbe h pisser, 101. 

Herbstblume, 123. 

Herbslzeitlose, 123. 



Ilippocastanum, 216. 

Huhlzahns, grossbliithigen, 204. 

llolzcssig, 15. 

Ilolzsaure, 15. Brenzliche oder brandige, 
15. 

Hornseed, 338. 

Horse chestnut, 216. 

Huaco, 213. 

Huile de foie de poisson,285. De Morue, 
285. De pignon d'Inde, 281. Volatile 
de moutarde, 291. 

Hydrargyri bicyanidum, 219. Borussias, 
219. Bromidum, 218. Deutobromidum, 
218. Cyanurelum, 219. Deutoiodure- 
tnm, 226. Iodidulatum, 223. Iodidum, 
223. Perbromidum, 218. Praeparata, 
218. Protobromidum, 218. Proto-iodi- 
dum, 223. Proto-ioduretum, 223. Prus- 
sias, 219. 

Hydrargyrum biniodidum, 226. Broma- 
tum, 218. Cyanogenatum, 219. Hydro- 
cyanicum, 219. Iodatum, 223. Ioda- 
tum flavum, 223. Iodatum rubrum, 
226. Perbromatum, 218. Periodatum, 
226. 

Hydras ferricus, 190. 

Hydriodate of potassa, 308. 

Hydriodic acid, liquid, 254. 

Hydrocyanate ol potassa, 306. 

Hydrocyanicus aether, 30. 

Hydrocyansaure, 1. 

Hydroiodas kalicus, 308. 

Indicum, 230. 

Indicus color, 230. 

Indigo, 230. 

Infusum picis liquidae, 33. Picis empy- 
reumaticre liquidse, 33. 

Injections of air, &c. into the Eustachian 
tube, 407. 

Tod, 231. 

lode, 234. 

lodarsen, 47. 

Iodarsenik, 47. 

Iodbaryum, 69. 

Iodeisen, 182. 

Iodide of quinine, 257. Of starch, 257. 
Of sulphur, 258. Of zinc, 390. 

Iodidum amyli,257. Hvdrargyricum, 226. 
Hydrargyrosum, 22"3. Piumbi, 298. 
Potassii, 308. Quininse, 257. 

Iodine, 234. 

Iodkalium, 308. 

Iodquecksilber, gelbes, 223. Im maximum, 
226. Im minimum des Iods, 223. 
Rothes, 226. 

lodschwcfel, 367. 

Iodsilber, 42. 

Iodstarke, 257. 

Iodstarkmehl, 257. 

Iodum, 234. 

lodure d'amidon, 257. De soufre, 367. 

Ioduret of sulphur, 258. 

Ioduretum amyli, 257. 



INDEX OF NEW REMEDIES. 



417 



Iodzink, 390. 

Iron, arsenate of, 170. Bromatcd, or bro- 
mide of, 172. Carburet of, 176. Cva- 
nuret of, 179. Hydriodate of, lb2 Hy- 
drobromateof,172. Hvdro-oxide of, 190. 
Iodide of, 182. Ioduret of, 182. Ni- 
trate of, solution o<, 183. Oxide of, liy- 
drated, 130. Peroxide of, 173. Peroxide 
of, hydrated, 190. Persesquinitrate of, 
solution of, 189. Protoiodide of, 182. 
Protoioduret of, 182. Protoxide of, hy- 
driodate of; 182. Prussiato of, 179. Sen- 
quioxirie of, 173. Subcarbonate of, 173. 
Trkoxide of, by dialed, 139. 

Irritaineiituiii metalloium seu mctallicum, 
403. 

Jolianniswurzel, 136, 

Kaliiucas radix, 80. 

Kali chloricum, 300. Chlorsaures, 300. 
Hydrobromicmn, 303. Hydroiodinicmn, 
3U8. Iodwasserstoffsaures, 308. Brom- 
wasserstoffsaures, 303. Hydioiodicum, 
306. 

Kalium bromatum, 303. Bromid, 303. 
iodatum, 308. 

Kalkchlorid, 83. 

Kaminruss, 200. 

Kinine, 316. 

Kininum, 316. 

Kodein, 118. 

Koble, tbieriscbe, 95. 

Kohlenschwefel, fliissiger, 363. 

Kohlenstoffeisen, 176. 

Kohlensulfurid, 363. 

Kralienaugen, 276. Geistiges Extrakldcr, 
276. 

Kreasote, 131. 

Kreosote, 131. 

Krotonol, 281. 

Kubebeiipfefier, 154. 

Kubebin, 154. 

Labarraque's disinfecting liquid, 348. 

Lactucariurn, 258. 

Lathy r is, 16.). 

Laltichopium, 258. 

Lead, black, 176. Iodide of, 238. 'Pan. 
r.ale of, 2J9. 

Lebensbaume, gemeinc, 372. 

Lebertbran, 285. 

Lconurus lariata, 67. 

Leopard's bane, 45. 

Lcrsciienschwamm, 73. 

Lettuce opium, 258. 

Lichen carrageen, 198. 

Lime, chloride of, 83. 

Liqueur desinfectante de Luburraque, 
91. 

Liquor acidi muriatici oxygenati, 109. 
Alexiterius oxygenatus, 109. Disinfect- 
ing, of F,al>airaquc,91. Morphirice cilra- 
tis, 273. Opii, 271. Opii Bcdativus, 
272. Sodoe chloridi, 348. Sodre chlori- 
nate, 348. 

13— e 



Magnes, 260. 

MagiK-1,260. 

Magnetism, animal, 406. 

Malogranatmu, 203. 

Mannastoff, 262. 

Mannazucker, 262. 

Mannite, 262. 

Marigold, garden, 32. Single, 92. 

Marrouier. 216. D'lnde, 21(5. 

Matiere de Derosne, 274. 

Matter of Derosne, 274. 

Mercurc, eyanure de, 219. Deuto-iodide de, 
226. liydrooyanate de, 219. Perioduro 
de, 226. Preparations de, 218. Proto- 
iodure de, 223. Prussiate de, 219. 

Mercury, bicyanide of, 219. Biniodide 
of, 226. firomidc of, 218. Cvanide of, 
219. Deutoioriide of, 226. liydrocya- 
nate of, 219. Preparations of, 2*18. 
Proto-iodide of, 223. Proto-ioduret of, 
223. Prussiate of, 219. 

Mesmerism, 406. 

Milchsaure, 13. 

Moleplant, 169. 

Morpbei acetas, 269. 

Morpheum, 264. 

Morpbin essigsaures, 269. Pehwefel- 
saurcs, 272. 

Morphinte bimeconas, 273. Sulphas, 272. 
Tori ras, 273. 

Morphine, 264. Aretate of, 263. Birne- 
couale of; 273. Citrate of, 273. Muri- 
ate of, 273. Sulfate de, 272. 

Moiphinuin, 264. 

Morphiurn, 264. 

Moit aux chit ns, 123. 

Moss, carrageen, 198. Corigecn, 198. 
Irish, 198. 

Mousse d'Irlande, 196. Perlee, 198. 

Moxa, 400. 

Moxiburiuin, 400. 

Mugwort, 4Si 

Muride, 74. 

Murigene, 103. 

Mustardsccd oil, 291. 

Mutterkorn, 336. 

Nadelstich, 23. 

Narcotine, 27 i. 

Narda ecltica altera, 45. 

Narkotin, 274. 

Natruni cbloratum, 348. Chloricum, 348. 
Oxymuriaticum, 348. 

Ncphrine, 373. 

Neurogamia, 406. 

Noix vomique, 27G. Exfrait alcooliquc dc, 
276. 

Nux vomica, 276. Extract alcoholic of, 
276. 

Ofenruss, 200. 

Oil, codlivei, 285. Croton,281. Ofmus- 
tard seed, 291. 

Oleum uuhcrcum flortim arnicje, 45. 
jEthereum Beminum sinapis, 291. Cro- 
27 dungl 



418 



INDEX OF NEW REMEDIES. 



Oleum — continued. 

tonis, 281, Jecinoris aselli, 285. Morr- 

hua?, 285. Sinapis, 291. Tiglii, 281. 

Volatile seminum sinapis, 291. 
Opiane, 274. 
Opium, lettuce, 258. 
Or, chlurure d',60. Cyanure d\ 58. Divide, 

5J. Metallique, 59. Muriate d', 60. 

Preparations d', 54. Proto-iodure d',59. 

El sonde hvdrochlorate d', 65. Etsoude, 

muriate d', 63. 
Oxydirt-salzsaures Natromvasser, 348. 
Panacea lapsnrum, 45. 
Papaverine, 264. 
Paraguay roux, 350. 
Paratinktur, 350. 
Pariscr blau, 179. 
Plcfferstoff, 295. 
Phloridzine, 294. 
Pierre d'aimant, 260. 
Pigmentum indicum, 230. 
Piper ciudatum, 154. Cubeba, 154. 
Piperine, 295. 
Pipsissewa, 101. 
Platinum, 29S. 

Plomb, iodurc de, 298. Tannate de, 299. 
Plombagine, 176. 
Plumbago, 176. 
Plumbi iodidum, 298. Ioduretum, 298. 

Tannas, 299. 
Pneumokatliarterion, 90. 
Poison nut, 276. 
Poivre a. queue, 154. 
Polypodium filix mas, 196. 
Polyporus officinalis, 73. 
Pomegranate, 208. 
Potassa, chlorate of, 300. Hydrocyanate of, 

306. Hydriodate of, 308. Hydriodate 

of, ioduretted, 309. Hydrobromate of, 

303. 
Potassae chloras, 300. Euchloras, 300. 

Hydrobromas, 303. Murias hyperoxy- 

genatum, 300. Murias oxygenatum, 

300. 
Potasse bromure de, 303. Hydriodate de, 

308. Iodure de, 308. 
Potassii bromidum, 303. Cyanidum, 305. 

Cyanuretum, 305. Iodidum, 308. Iodo- 

hydrargyras, 315. Ioduretum, 308. 

Oxygeno-chloruretum, 300. Proto-hy- 

driodas, 308. Protoxidi hydriodas, 308. 
Potassium, bromide of, 303. Cyanide of, 

305. Cyanuret of, 305. Iodide of, 308. 

Iodo-hydrargyrate of, 315. Ioduret of 

iodohydrargyrate of, 315. Ioduret of, 

308. Protoxide of, chlorate of, 300. 
Potio picea, 33. 
Poudre de blanchement, 83. De Tennant, 

83 
Powder, bleaching, Tennant's, 83. 
Principium adstringens, 368. Scytodephi- 

cum, 368. 
Prussiate de potasse et de fer, 179. 



Ptarmica montana, 45. 

Fulvis ad fumigationes muriaticus, 103. 

Punica granatum, 208. 

Pyrola umbellata, 101. 

Pyrole en ombelle, 101 . 

Quecksilber blausaures, 219. Bromid, 218. 
liromur, 218. Deutoiodiir des, 226. 
Iodid, 226. Iodid gelbes, 223. Iodi- 
dul, 223. Praparate, 218. Protoio- 
diir des, 223. 

Quina, 316. 

Quinia, 316. 

Quinice sulphas impurus, 332. 

Quinina, 316. 

Quinine, 316. Acetate of, 318. Citrate 
of, 318. Extract of, 332. Ferrocyanure 
de, 319. Nitrate of, 321. 

Quinine, phosphate of, 321. And cincho- 
nine, tannate of, 331. 

Quininum, 316. Quinium, 316. 

Raiz crusadinha, 80. Preta, 80. 

Reissblei, 176. 

Resina chinse praeparata, 332. 

Ringelblume, 92. 

Rosscastanien, 216. 

Russ, 200. 

Rye, corned, 338. Spurred, 338. 

Sabadillin, 375,377. 

Saccharum manna?, 262. 

Safran batard, 123. De mars aperitif, 173. 
Des pres, 123. 

Saffron meadow, 123. 

Sal essentiale corticis Peruviani, 316. 

Salicinc, 333. 

Salt of Derosne, 274. 

Sapo cacaotinus, 336. Coconeus, 336. 
Kalicus, 336. Mollis, 336. Niger, 336. 
Viridis, 336. 

Satzmehliodur, 257. 

Savon de cacoa, 336. Mou, 336. Noir, 
336. 

Schmierseife, 336. Grune, 336. 

Schwanzpfeffer, 154. 

Schwefelalcohol, 363. 

Schwefelkohlenstoff, 363. 

Schwererde, iodsvasserstoffsaure, 69. 

Secale cornutum, 338. Luxurians, 338. 

Secalis mater, 338. 

Seetang, 198. 

Seigle ergotee, 338. Sel de Derosne, 274. 
Essentiel d'opium, 274. 

Senfol, ffitherisches, 291. 

Serperitariao Braziliensis radix, 80. 

Silberammonium salzsaures, 39. 

Silberoxyd, 42. 

Silber, oxydirtes, 42. Praparate, 36. Sal- 
miak, 39. Salzsaures, 59. Zertheil- 
tes, 41. 

Silver, chloride of, 39. Cyanide of, 41. 
Iodide of, 42. Ioduret of, 42. Metal- 
lic, 41. Muriate of, 39. And ammo- 
nia, chloride of, 39. And ammonia, 
chloruret of, 39. 



INDEX OP NEW REMEDIES. 



419 



Sinapis oleum, 291. 

Soap of the cocoanut oil, 336. Soft, 336. 

Soda chlorinata, 348. Chloruret of, 348. 

Chlorite of, 348. Hypochlorite of, 348. 
Sodae chloridum, 348. Chloruretum, 348. 

Oxymurias, 348. 
Sodium, auro-lerchloride of, 63. 
Solutio alexiteria oxygenata, 109. 
Soot, 200. 

Souci, 92. Ordinaire, 92. 
Soufre carbure, 363. Iodure, 367. 
Species pro vaporibus superoxydi inuriati- 

ci, 103. 
Sphserococcus crispus, 198. 
Spiegelruss, 200. 
Spilanthus oleraceus, 350. Spear-leaved, 

350. 
Spiritus salis marini dephlogisticatus, 103. 
Sponsa solis, 92. 
Spur, the, 338. 

Spurge, caper, 169. Garden, 169. 
Starch, iodide of, 257. 
Starkmehliodur, 257. 
Stockfisch leberthran, 285. 
Strychnin essigsaures, 360. Iodsaures, 360. 

Salpetersaures, 361. Schwefelsaures, 
363. 
Strychnine, 350. Acetate of, 360. Hy- 

driodate of, 361. lodate of, 360. Ni- 
trate of, 361. Sulphate of, 363. 
Slrychninum, 350. 
Strychnium, 350. 

Suffitus chlorini, 103. Oxymuriaticus, 103. 
Suie, 200. 

Sulfure de carbon, 363. 
Sulphuret of carbon, 363. 
Sulphuretum carbonii, 363. 
Sulphuris carburetum, 363. Iodidum, 258, 

367. Iodurelum, 367. 
Tabac de Montagne, 45. Des Savoyards, 

45. Des Vosges, 45. 
Tang krauser, 198. 
Tannas plumbi, 299. 
Tannicum purum, 368. 
Tannin, 368. 
Tar water, 33. 
Tellurismus, 406. 
Terra aluminis, 43. Aluminosa pura, 43. 

Argillacea pura, 43. Bolaris, 43. Si- 

gillata, 43. 
Theerwesscr, 33. 



Thierkohle, 95. 

Thonerde, reine, 43. 

Thridace 258. 

Thuya, 372. Du Canada, 372. Occiden- 
talis, 372. 

Tithymalus latifolius, 169. 

Tue-chien, 123. 

Ulva crispa, 198. 

Urea, 373. 

Uree, 373. 

Uricura, 373. 

Ustilago, 338. 

Vauquelirie, 350. 

Veratrine, 375. Sulphate of, 383. 

Verrucaria, 92. 

Vieillotte, 123. 

Vinaigre de bois, 15. 

Votnic nut, 276. 

Wasserstoffblausaure, 1. 

Wiesensafran, 123. 

Winter green, 101. 

Wintergrun, holdenbluhtigen, 101. 

Wohlverlei, 45. 

Wohlverleiol, 45. 

Wolfstrapp wolliger, 67. l 

Woodsoot, 200. 

Zeitlose, 123. 

Zinc, butter of, 384. Chloride of, 384. 
Cyanuret of, 387. Ferrocyanate of, 387. 
Ferrohydrocyanate of, 387. Hydro- 
chlorate of, 384. Hydrocyanate of, 387. 
Iodide of, 390. Muriate of, 384. Prus- 
siate of, 387. 

Zinci butyrum, 384. Chloiidum, 384. 
Chloruretum, 384. Cyanidum, 387. 
Cyanuretum, 387. Ferrohydrocyanas, 
387. Iodidum, 390. Ioduretum, 390. 

Zincum Borussicum, 387. Chloralum, 
384. Cyanogenatum, 387. Ferrohy- 
drocyanicum, 387. Hydrocyanicum, 
387. Iodatum, 390. Muriaticum (oxy- 
datum) 384. Zooticum, 387. 

Zinkbutter, 384. 

Ziokchlorid, 484. 

Zinkcyanur, 387. 

Zinkeisenblausaurer, 387. 

Zinkeisencyaniir, 387. 

Zinkoxyd, eisenoxydul, 387. 

Zinkoxyd salzsaures, 384. 

Zinkoxydul blausaures, 387. 

Zoomagnetismus, 106. 



INDEX 



DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



Abdomen, inflammation of the (hydrarg. 
cyanur.) 222. 

Abscesses, suppurating (creosoton) 141. 

Acidity of the stomach (argilla) 43. 

Acne (sulphur, iodid.) 367. Indurata 
(sulphur, iodid.) 367. Rosacea (acid, 
hydrocyan.) 10. Rosacea (creosoton) 
146. 

Adiposis (ballota lanata) 68. (Iodinum) 
253. 

After pains (sulphuris carburetum) 365. 

Amaurosis (acupunct.) 27. (Ammoniated 
counter-irritants) 395. (Galvanismus) 
403. (Nux vomica) 278. (Strychnina) 
357. Incomplete (electro-punct.) 164. 

Amblyopia (strychnina) 357. 

Amenorrhcea (artcmisia)52. (Brominum) 
77. (Cainca? radix) 81. (Calendula) 94. 
(Ferr. iodid.) 186. (Iodinum) 250. (Po- 
tassii bromid.) 304. (Secale cornutum) 
344. (Sulphuris carburetum) 365. 

Anasarca (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. (Acupunct.) 
272. 

Aneurism (acupunct.) 28. 

Angiectasis (zinci chlorid.) 385. 

Angina pectoris (galvanism) 405. (Mag- 
net) 261. 

Anthrax, malignant (chlorin. aq.) 112. 

Aphonia (chlorin.) 106. (Cubebtr) 155. 
(Ol. croton) 283. (Strychnina) 357. 

Aphtha;, asthenic (chlorin. aq.) 114. 

Aphthous sores (liq. ferr. persesquinit.) 
196. Ulceration (creosoton) 153. 

Arthritis, chronic (brominum) 77. (Com- 
pressio) 391. 

Arthrocace (ol. jecinor. aselli) 288. 

Ascites (acupunct.) 27. (Oaincn* radix) 
81. (Euphorb. ol.) 170. (Iodinum) 248. 

Asphyxia (acupunct.) 20. (Galvano punc- 



Asphyxia — continved. 

tur.) 164. (Sulphuris carburetum) 
365. 

Asthenia, chronic (potassse chloras) 301, 
302. 

Asthma (bignonia catalpa) 72. (Creoso- 
ton) 151. (Galvanism) 405. (Ol. cro- 
ton) 283. Humoral (sulphur, iodid.) 
368. Nervous (magnet) 261. Pulveru- 
lentum (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. Spasmodic 
(acid, hydrocyan.) 8. (Iodinum.) 250. 

Atrophy (brucina) 79. (Ol. jecinor. aselli) 
288. Partial (nux vomica) 277. 

Biles (ammoniated counter-irritants) 399. 

Bladder, atony of the (diosma) 163. Ca- 
tarrh of the (cort. adstring. brazil.) 
130. Diseases of the (diosma) 162. 
Inflammation of the (fuligo) 202. 

Bleeding from leech bites (creosoton) 139. 

Blennorrhea (acid, hydrocyan.) 10. (Chi- 
maphila) 102. (Cort. adstring. brazil.) 
130, 131. (Ferr. iodid.) 18. (Piperina) 
297. (Tannicum purum) 371. Of the 
bladder, (diosma) 163. Of the eye (cal- 
cis chlorid.) 88. (See gonorrhoea.) 

Boils, see biles. 

Bones, pains in the (zinci ferrohydrocy 
anas) 389. Tumors of the (auri prre 
par.) 58. 

Bowels, painful affections of the (acid 
hydrocyan.) 9. 

Brain, chronic affections of the (ammo 
niated counter-irritants) 394. 

Bronchi, dilatation of the (chlorin.) 106 
Inflammation of the (ammoniated coun 
tcr-irritantc) 399. 

Bronchitis (ncid. hydrocyan.) 8. (Iodi 
num) 246. (Mannitum) 263. (Strych 
nina) 358. Chronic (aq. piceu) 36 



422 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



Bronchitis — continued. 

Ciironic (chlorin.) 106, 107. Chronic 
(colchicum) 127. Chronic (creosoton) 
148. Chronic (galeopsis) 204. Chronic 
(salicina) 335. 

Bronchocele (ferr. iodid.) 186. (See 
goitre.) 

Bronchorrhcea (creosoton) 148. 

Bubo, ulcerated (creosoton) 144. 

Burns (calcis chlorid.) 86, 91. (Creoso- 
ton) 140. (Sodas chlorid.) 379. (Sul- 
phuris carburetum) 365. Severe (com- 
pressio) 390. 

Cachexia (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Chlorid.) 
108. Mercurial (auri praspar.) 56. (See 
Dyscrasy. 

Calculous pains (diosma) 162. 

Calculus (chirnaphila) 101. Phosphatic 
(acid. lact.) 14. 

Cancer (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Aur. nitrico- 
muriat.) 66. (Auri. praspar.) 58. (Cal- 
cis chlorid.) 185. (Calendula) 93. (Ferr. 
arseniat.) 179. (Ferr. carb. prase.) 173. 
(Ferr. iodid.) 186. Of the heart (calen- 
dula) 93. Of the breast (creosoton) 143. 
Of the breast (fuligo) 201. Of the face 
(creosoton) 143. Of the integuments 
(calendula) 93. Of the lip (creosoton) 
143. Open (carbo animalis) 97, 98. Of 
the skin (creosoton) 143. Of the tongue 
(iodin.) 251. Of the uterus (auri pras- 
parat.) 58. Of the uterus (calendula) 93, 
94. Of the uterus (creosoton) 142. Of 
the uterus (morphinas acetas.) 271. 

Cancerous ulcers (chlorin. aq.) 114. (Po- 
tass, iodid. 313. Of the face (creosoton) 
143. 

Cancrum oris (acid, pyrolign.) 17, 19. 
(Calcis chlorid.) 85. (Chlorin. aq.) 113, 
114. (Creosoton) 142. 

Carbuncle, sloughing (creosoton) 142. 

Oarbunculus malignus (aq. chlorin.) 112. 
114. 

Cardialgia (artemisia) 52. (Calendula) 
94. (Nux vomica) 278. (Zinci ferro- 
hydrocyanas) 3S8. 

Carditis (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Varies of bones (acid, pyrolign.) 17. Of 
the fibula, &c. (creosoton) 143. Scro- 
fulosa (ol. jecinor. aselli) 288. Scrofu- 
lous (creosoton) 142, 153. Of the teeth 
(calcis chlorid.) 87. 

Cjtalepsy (strychnina) 358. 

Catamenia, obstruction of the. (See Ame- 
norrhcea.) 

Cataract, disintegrated (carbo animalis) 
97. Incipient (ammoniated counter-irri- 
tants) 394. 

Catarrh, chronic (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. (Aq. 
picea) 34. (Chirnaphila) 102. (Chlo- 
rin.) 106, 108. 

Catarrh, pulmonary (galeopsis) 204. (Man- 
nitum) 263. 



Catarrhus urethras (cubebas) 156. Vesicae 
(aq. picea) 36. Vesicae (caincce radix) 
82. Vesicas (cubebas) 156. Vesicas 
(diosma) 162. 

Cephalalgia (acupunct.) 28. Chronic (ar- 
temisia) 52. Intermittent (quininas sul- 
phas) 327, 330. Nervous (acid, hydro- 
cyan.) 9. Periodical (zinci ferrohydro- 
cyanas) 388. Syphilitic (hydrarg. cy- 
anur.) 222. (See'headach.) 

Chancre (creosoton) 144, 153. (Hydrarg. 
cyanur.) 222. 

Chaps (ol. jecin. aselli) 289. 

Chest, diseases of the (chlorin.) 105. Af- 
fections of the (fuligo) 202. 

Chilblains (calcis chlorid.) 86, 92. (Cre- 
osoton) 141. 

Chlorosis (artemisia) 52. (Ferr. iodid.) 
186. 

Cholera (creosote) 150. (Diosma) 162. 
(Guaco) 214. Morphinas acetas.) 271. 
(Nux vomica) 280. (Strychnina) 358. 
Morbus (artemisia) 52. 

Chorea (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. (Ferr. carb. 
prase ) 175. (Iodinum) 249. (Ol. jecinor. 
aselli) 289. (Strychnina) 358. (Veratri- 
na) 380. (Zinci ferrohydrocyanas) 389. 

Colic, hysterical (ol. sinapis) 293. 

Colica pictonum (nux vomica) 278. 

Condylomata (creosoton) 144. (Hydrarg. 
deuto-iodur.) 228. (Thuya occidenta- 
lis) 372. 

Congestions in the head (ammoniated 
counter-irritants) 399. 

Constipation (galvanism) 406. (Veratri- 
na) 382. 

Contagion (calcis chlorid.) 89. (Chlorin.) 
109. 

Contusions (acupunct.) 28. (Creosoton) 
141. 

Convulsions (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. (Auri praspar.) 54. (Magnet) 261. 
(Compression of arteries) 394. (Potass, 
cyanid.) 307. During dentition (chlo- 
rin. aq.) 111. Hysterical (indigum) 230. 

Convulsive affections (acupunct.) 27. Dis- 
eases of childhood (artemisia) 51. 

Cornea, granulations on the (fuligo) 201. 
Obscurity of the (calcis chlorid.) 88. 
Opacity of the (hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 
228. Opacity of the (ol. jecinor. aselli) 
288. Spots on the (fuligo) 201. 

Coryza (cubebas) 155, 156. 

Cough (lactucarium) 259. Nervous (tan- 
nicum purum) 370. Spasmodic (lactu- 
carium) 260. Spasmodic, dry (fucus 
crispus) 199. Violent (asparag. turion.) 
53. 

Coxalgia (iodinum) 252. 

Coxarthrocace (ol. jecinor. aselli) 289. 

Cramp (ammoniated counter-irritants) 399. 
(Magnet) 261. Of the stomach (nux 
vomica) 280. Of the stomach (zinci 
ferrohydrocyanas) 388. 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



423 



Croup, hysteric (creosoton) 151. 

Crusta lactea (asparag. turion.) 54. (Cre- 
osoton) 145. 

Cutaneous diseases (arsenias ammonias) 
46. (Acid, hydrocyan.) 10. (Asparag. 
turion.) 54. (Auri cyanidum) 59. (Cal- 
cis chiorid.) 87. (Chlorin.) 108. (Chlo- 
rin. aq.) 113. (Creosoton) 145. (Ferr. 
carbur.) 177. (Fuligo) 201. (Kydrarg. 
deuto-iodur.) 227. (Iodid. sulph.) 258. 
(Iodinum) 249. (01. jecinor. aselli) 289. 
(Potassas chloras) 301. (Sodae chiorid.) 
349. (Sulphur, iodid.) 367. Syphilitic 
(hydrarg. proto-iodur.) 225. 

Cynanche (cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. 
Tonsillaris. (Sec Sore throat.) 

Deafness (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Creosoton) 
147. (Galvanism) 403. Erethitic ner- 
vous (injections of vapour of acetous 
ether) 410. Nervous (injections of va- 
pour of acetous ether) 410. Nervous, 
torpid (injections of vapour of ether) 
410. 

Debility (ferr. iodid.) 186. (Nux vomica) 
277. (Piperina) 297. General (quinines 
et cinchoninte tannas) 331. Nervous 
(Quininse sulphas) 328, 330. Paralytic 
(ammoniated counter-irritants) 399. 

Decubitus gangreenosus (plumb, tannas) 
300. 

Delirium tremens, (magnetism, animal) 
406. 

Dentition (chlorin. aq.) 111. 

Diabetes mellitus (creosoton) 150. (Tan- 
nicum purum) 369. (Urea) 374. 

Diarrhoea (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Argilla) 
43, 44. (Artemisia) 52. (Carbo ani- 
malis) 97. (Fucus crispus) 199. (Indi- 
gum) 230. (Liq. ferr. persesquinit.) 190. 
(Strychnina) 358. (Veratrina) 382. 
Choleric (nux vomica) 278. Chronic 
(ferr. cyanuret.) 180. Chronic (mor- 
phines acetas) 271. Chronic (nux vomi- 
ca) 278, 280. 

Diathesis phthisica (chlorin. aq.) 113. 

Diphlheritis (fuligo) 201. 

Diplopia (acupuncl.) 28. 

Discharges from the nose (iodinum) 257. 
Offensive (acid, pyrolign.) 17, 18. 

Disinfection (chlorin.) 109. (Chlorin. aq.) 
114. 

Dropsy (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. (Acid, pyro- 
lign.) 17. (Asparag;. turion.) 54. (Au- 
rmn muriat.) 62. (Aur. tnuriat. natron.) 
64. (Auri prmparat.) 58. (Ballota la- 
nata) 67, 68. (Caincic radix) 81. (Chi- 
maphila) 101, 103. (Chlorin. aq.) 113. 
(Colchicum) 127. (Ferr. iodid.) 187. 
(Hippocastanom) 216. (Iodinum) 248. 
(Ol. ainapis) 293. (Urea) 374. (Vera- 
trina) 375, 383. Of the ovary (iodin.) 
250. After scarlatina (colchicum) 127. 



Dumbness (galvanism) 403. 

Dyscrasy (ferr. iodid.) 187. (Sulphuris 
carburetum) 365. After intermittents 
(ferr. cyanur.) 180. (See Cachexia.) 

Dysentery (argilla) 43. (Artemisia) 52. 
(Calcis chloridum) 84. (Ferr. cyanur.) 
180. (Fucus crispus) 199. (Nux vo- 
mica) 279, 280. (Secale cornutum) 344. 
(Strvchnina) 358. Putrid (chlorin. aq.) 
112." 

Dyspepsia (acid, lact.) 14. (Argil.) 43. 
(Berberina) 71. (Carbo auimalis) 97. 
(Chimaphila) 102. (Diosma) 162_. (Ferr. 
iodid. 186. (Hippocastanum) 216. (Nux 
vomica) 279. (01. sinapis) 293. (Pipe- 
rina) 297. (Quininee sulphas) 329. 
(Strychnina) 358. 

Dysphagia (artemisia) 52. Spasmodic 
(acid, hydrocyan.) 8. 

Dyspnosa (galvanism) 404. (Potass, cya- 
nid.) 307. 

Dysuria (chimaphila) 101. 

Eclampsia infantum (artemisia) 51, 53. 

Eczema (ol. jecinor. aselli) 289. 

Engorgements, visceral (ferr. iodid.) 187. 

Enteralgia (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 

Enteritis (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. 

Epilepsy (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. (Acu- 
punct.) 28. (Ammoniated counter-irri- 
tants) 399. (Artemisia) 49. (Compres- 
sion of arteries) 394. (Creosoton) 151. 
(Ferr. cyanur.) 180, 181. (Galvanism) 
405. (Granatum) 212. (Indigum) 230. 
(Iodinum). 249. (Magnet) 261. (Nux 
vomica) 278. (Strychnina) 358. (Zinci 
chiorid.) 386. (Zinci ferrohydrocyanas) 
388. 

Epistaxis (cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. (Cre- 
osoton) 139. (Secale cornutum) 344. 

Erethism, gangrenous, 340. Morbid (po- 
tassae chloras) 301. 

Ergotism, 339. 

Erysipelas (chlorin. aq.) 113. (Colchicum) 
127. (Compressio) 390. Of the face. 
(Cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. 

Eustachian tube, obstructed. (Injections 
of air) 407. 

Exanthemata, febrile (chlorin. aq.) 112. 

Exanthematous diseases (cort. adstring. 
Brazil.) 130. 

Excoriation from lying (creosoton) 141. 
Of the skin (ol. jecinor. aselli) 289. 
Syphilitic (aururn mclallieum) 60. 

Excrescences, syphilitic (aurum mctalli- 
cum) 60. 

Eye, black (calcis chiorid.) 86. 

Fainting, hysteric (sulphuris carburetum) 
365. 

Febrile affections (colchicum) 126. Dis- 
eases (morphine) 268. 

Fever, brain (compression of arteries) 394. 
Gastric (artemisia) 52. Gastric (chlorin. 



424 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



Fever — continued 

aq.) 113. Hectic (chlorin. aq.) 113. 
Intermittent (cctrarine) 100. Intermit- 
tent (chlorin. aq.) 112. Irritative (chlo- 
rin. aq.) 111. Nervosa (chlorin. aq.) 
111. Paroxysmal (quinines sulphas) 
324. 328, 32 .1, 330. Petechia! (aq. chlo. 
rin.) 112. Putrid (acid, pyrolign.) 17. 
Putrid (chlorin. aq.) 112. Summer (qui- 
ninae sulphas) 328. Typhous (sodae 
chloridum) 34:). 

Fissures of the skin (creosoton) 141. (01. 
jecinor. aselli) 289. 

Fistulce (acid, hydrocyan.) 10. (Calcis 
chlorid.) 85. (Oi. jecinor. aselli) 291. 
(Potass, iodid.) 314. 

Flatulence (creosoton) 150. 

Fluor albns. (Sec Leucorrltwa.) 

Fcetor oris (calcis chloridum) 84, 89, 90. 
(Chlorin. aq.) 113. 

Frost bites (calcis chlorid.) 86, 91. 

Fungous tumour (creosoton) 143. 

Fungus of the neck of the uterus (aur. 
nitricomuriat.) 66. 

Ganglion (acupunct.) 30. (Hydrarg. deuto- 
iodur.) 223. 

Ganglionic system, disorder of the (ferr. 
cyanur.) 131. 

Gangrene (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Calcis 
chlorid. 86. Hospital (calcis chlorid.) 
85, 91. Hospital (creosoton) 142. Of 
the lungs (chlorin.) 106. Of the scro- 
tum (calcis chlorid.) 85. 

Gastralgia with acid (cinchonin.) 117. 

Gastricism (carbo animalis) 97. (Manni- 
tum) 263. 

Gastritis (codeine) 122. 

Gastrodynia (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. (Acu- 
punct.) 28. (Creosoton) 150. (Nux 
vomica) 279. (01. sinapis) 293. 

Gastromalacia (acid, pyrolign.) 17. Chlo- 
rin. aq.) 113. 

Genital organs, anatomy of the (cubebte) 
155. Debility of the (cort. udstring. 
Brazil.) 130. Debility of (nux vomica) 
277. 

Glanders, chronic (creosoton) 151. 

Glands, enlarged (carbon sesqui-iodid.) 
99. Enlarged (plumbi iodid.) 299. In- 
duration of the (hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 
228. Mammary, enlarged (veratrina) 
381. Meibomian, copious secretion from 
the (calcis chlorid.) 88. Mesenteric, en- 
larged (iodinum) 244. Of the neck, in- 
flamed (hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 227. 
Scrofulous swellings of the (calcis. chlo- 
rid.) 87. Strumous swellings of the 
(chlorin. aq.) 114. Submaxillary, en- 
larged (iodinum) 244. Tumefied, stru- 
mous (hydr. proto-iodur.) 224. 

Glandular affections (aurum muriat.) 62. 
(Iodinum) 243. (Veratrina) 381. 

Gleet (creosoton) 144. (Secale cornutum) 
347. Old (tannicum purum) 371. 



Goitre (brominum) 77. (Calcis chlorid.) 
87, 92. (Hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 228. 
(Iodinum) 242, 257. (Potassii bromid.) 
304. (Potass, iodid.) 312. Scirrhous 
(carbo animalis) 97, 98. (Sulphuris 
carburetum) 3G5. (Veratrina) 381. 

Gonorrhoea (auri prcepar.) 57. (Calcis. 
chlorid) 84. (Calcis chlorid.) 89, 90. 
(Chlorin. aq.) 114. (Creosoton) 144. 
(Cubebae) 154. (Diosma) 162. (Secale 
cornutum) 344. (See Biennorrhcsa.) 

Gout (acupunct.) 28. (Ammoniated coun- 
ter-irritants) 399. (Ballota lanata) 63. 
(Colchicum) 125, 126. (Compression of 
arteries) 394. (Creosoton) 149, 152. 
(Iodinum) 252. (Magnet) 261. (Moxa) 
400. (01. croton.) 283. (01. jecinor. 
aselli) 287. (Sulphuris carburetum) 
365, 366. (Veratrine) 280. Atonic 
(hippocastanum) 216. Chronic (chi- 
maphila) 101, 103. Chronic (diosma) 
162. Suppressed (ammoniated counter- 
irritants) 399. 

Gouty swellings of bones (potass, iodid.) 
314. 

Gravel, white (acid, lact.) 14. 

Growths, morbid (baryum iodaturn) 70. 

Gums, scorbutic ulceration of the (creoso- 
ton) 142, 152. 

Gutta rosacea (fuligo) 201. (Sulph. iodid.) 
367. 

Hsemituna (diosma) 162. (Secale cornu- 
tum) 344. 

Haemoptysis (cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. 
(Creosoton) 140, 152. (Galeopsis) 205. 
(Lactucarium) 260. (Secale cornutum) 
344. 

Head, determinations to the (chlorin. aq.) 
HI. 

Headach, intermittent (quinintE sulphas) 
327, 330. Nervous (strychnina) 358. 
Nervous (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. (See Cephalalgia.) 

Hearing, defective from otorrhcea (cubebae) 
155. 

Heart, active diseases of the (aconitin.) 21. 
Diseases of the (asparag. turion.) 54. 
Enlargement of the (acid, hydrocyanic) 
9. Hypertrophy of the (asparag.tu- 
rion.) 54. Hypertrophy of the (bro- 
minum) 77. Hypertrophied (iodin.) 
250. Hypertrophy of the (potass, bro- 
mid.) 304. Hypertrophy of the (potass, 
iodid.) 312. Palpitation of the (asparag. 
turiones) 53. Spasmodic affections of 
the (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. 

Hectic fever (chlorin. aq.) 113. 

Hemicrania (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 

Hemiplegia (nux vomica) 278. (Strych- 
nina) 356. 

Hemorrhage (aq. binelli) 32. (Cort. ad- 
string. Brazil.) 130. (Creosoton) 137. 
(Ferr. iodid.) 187. (Secale cornutum) 
344. (Tannicum purum) 370. Active 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



425 



Hemorrhage — continued. 

(acid, hydrocyan.) 8. Capillary (creo- 
soton) 140. From the gums (creosoton) 
140. From leech bites (creosoton) 139. 
From the lungs. (See Hemoptysis.) 
Uterine (creosoton) 140. Uterine (ferr. 
iodid.) 187. Uterine (Secale cornutum) 
344. Uterine (tannicum purum) 368. 

Hepatic diseases. (See Liver affections.) 

Hernia humoralis. (See Orchitis.) Incar- 
cerated (sulphuris carburetum) 365. 

Herpes (acid, hydrocyan) 10. (Calcis 
chlorid.) 87. (Chlorin. aq.) 114, 115. 
(Creosoton) 145, 154. (Ferr. carbur.) 
176. (Fuligo) 201. (Hydrarg. cyanur.) 
'222. (Hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 228. (01. 
jecinor. aselli) 239. (Potass, bromid.) 
304. (Potass, iodid.) 311. (Sapo coco- 
neus) 336. Exedens (creosoton) 145. 
Phagedenic tuberculous (arsenic, iodat.) 
48. 

Herpetic ulcers (creosoton) 142. 

Hiccough, spasmodic (magnet) 261. 

Hoarseness (fucus crispus) 199. (01. cro- 
ton) 283. 

Hooping cough (acid, hydrocyan.) 8, 12. 
(Ferr. carb. preec.) 175. (01. croton) 
283. 

Hordeolum (hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 228. 

Hydrocele (acupunct.) 29. (Chlorin.) 108. 
(lodinum) 248. (Iodinum) 253. 

Hydrocephalus (iodinum) 248. 

Hydrocyanic acid, poisoning by (chlorin.) 
107. "(Chlorin. »q.) 113. 

Hydrophobia (chlorin. aq.) 113. (Compres- 
sion of the arteries) 394. 

Hydrothorax (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. (Col- 
chicurn) 127. (Iodinum) 248. 

Hygroma (iodinum) 249. 

Hyporamia (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
400. (See Inflammation.) 

Hypeisesthcsia (potassce chloras) 301. 

Hypcremesis (tannicum purum) 370. 

Hypertrophy (barvum iodatum) 70. (Ferr. 
bromat.) 173. (Ferr. iodid.) 187. Ol 
the coats of the stomach (sulph. carbu- 
ret.) 366. Of the heart (brominum) 77. 
Of the heart (iodin.) 250. Of the heart 
(potass, bromid.) 304. Of the heart (po- 
tass, iodid.) 312. Of the mammce (iodi- 
num) 250. Of the spleen (iodin.) 251. 
Of the thymus (iodin.) 250. 

Hypochondriasis (auri praeparat.) 54. 
(Chlorin.) 108. (Strychnina) 358. Vc- 
ratrina) 380. 

Ilysteralgia (euphorb. ol.) 170. 

Hysteria (creosoton) 151. (Fuligo) 202. 
(Granatum) 212. (Lactucarium) 260. 
(Strychnina) 358. (Veratrina) 380. 
(Zinci fcrrohydrocyanas) 388. 

Hysteric croup (creosoton) 151. Fainting 
(sulphuris carburetum) 365. Convul- 
sions (indigum) 230. 



Hysterics (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Impetigo (acid, hydrocyan.) 10, 12. (Ar- 
son, iodat.) 48. (Creosoton) 145, 153.) 
(Ol.jecin. aselli) 289. 

Impotence (cubebae) 155. (Diosma) 162. 
(Iodinum) 254. (Nux vomica) 277. 

Incontinence of urine (iodin.) 249. (Nux 
vomica) 271. 

Indigestion. (See Dyspepsia.) 

Indurations, glandular, chronic (carbo 
animalis) 97. (Hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 
228. Of the pancreas (carbo animalis) 
97. Of the pancreas (iodin.) 251. Chro- 
nic (calendula) 94, 95. Chronic, of the 
mammce (carbo animalis) 97. 

Inflammation (aconitin.) fel. (Compres- 
sion of arteries) 394. Of the bronchia. 
(See Bronchitis.) Chronic (acid, hydro- 
cyan.) 8. Chronic (baryum iodatum) 
70. Chronic (ol. croton) 283. Chronic, 
of the eustachian tube (catheterism) 
Chronic, of the mouth and fauces (chlo- 
rin. aq.) 115. External (compressio) 
390. Of the heart. (See Caiditis.) 
Internal (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. Of the 
liver (chlorin. aq.) 113. Of the lungs 
(ammoniated counter-irritants) 399. Of 
the lungs. (See Pneumonia.) Of the 
pleura (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. Synovial (compressio) 390. Tho- 
racic (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. Of the tra- 
chea (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Inflammatory diseases (colchicum) 126. 
(Cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. (Morphina) 
268. (Ol. sinapis)293. 

Integuments, lesions of the (creosoton) 
141. 

Intermittent (cetrarine) 100. (Chlorin. 
aq.) 112. (Cinchonin.) 117, 118. (Cu- 
bebae) 155. (Ferr. carb. praec.) 175. 
(Ferr. cyanur.) 180, 181. (llippocasta- 
num) 216. (Indigum) 230. (Phlorid- 
zina) 294. (Piperina) 296. (Quinina) 
316. (Quinina? ct cinchon. tannas) 331. 
(Quinina? sulphas) 324, 328, 329, 330. 
(Quinine sulphas impurus) 333. (Re- 
sina cliinse praspar.) 332. (Salicina) 
334, 335. (Soda? chlorid.) 349. 

Intertrigo of children (creosoton) 141. 

Iodum, 240. 

lodkrankhcit, 240. 

lodosis, 24". 

Iralgia (quinincc sulphas) 327. 

Ischias (ol. sinapis) 293. (Veratrina) 379. 

Ischuria (colchicum) 127. 

Itch (calcis chlorid.) 187. (Chlorin. aq.) 
114,115. (Creosoton) 145, 153. (Fu- 
ligo) 201. (Sapo mollis) 336. 

Joints, swelled (ammoniated counter-irri- 
tants) 399. (Calcis chlorid.) 87, 92. 

Kricbelkrankheit, 339. 



426 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



Labia pudendi, infiltration of (creosoton) 
142. 

Labour, premature, inducing (secale cor- 
nutum) 343, 347. 

Lcechbites, hemorrhage from (creosoton) 
139. 

Lepra (arsen. iodat.) 48. (Auri praeparat.) 
58. (Carbon, sesqui-iodid.) 99. (Chlo- 
rin.) 108. (Sulphur, iodid.) 367. 

Leucorrhcea (chlorin. aq.) 114. (Colchi- 
cum) 127. (Cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130, 
131. (Creosoton) 144. (Cubebae) 155. 
(Ferr. iodid.) 186. (Iodinum) 251. (Liq. 
Ferr. persesquinit.) 190. (Salicina) 335. 
(Secale cornutum) 344, 347. 

Lichen leproides (ferr. carbur.) 178. 

Liver, affections of the (potassae chloras.) 
301. (Berberina) 71. (Chlorin.) 108. 
(Iodin.) 251. Induration of the (hy- 
drarg. deuto-iodur.) 228. Indurated 
(iodinum) 243. Inflammation of the 
(chlorin. aq.) 113. Obstruction of the 
(hydrarg. proto-iodur.) 224. Tubercles 
of'the (iodinum) 248. 

Lumbago (acupunct.) 28. (Ammoniated 
counter-irritants) 373. (Veratrine) 380. 

Lungs, gangrtne of'the (chlorin.) 106. 

Lupus (hydrarg. deuto-iodur. 227.) (Zinci 
chlorid.) 385. Non exedens (sulphur, 
iodid.) 368. Of the ala nasi (ferr. carb. 
prase.) 174. Of the nose (creosoton) 143. 

Luxations (diosma) 162. 

Lymphatism (ferr. iodid.) 186. 

Measles (chlorin. aq.) 112. 

Mammae, hypertrophied (iodinum) 250. 

Menorrhagia (cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. 
(Ferr. cyanur.) 180. Mental affections 
(auri prreparat.) 54. 

Metritis (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. 

Metrorrhagia (cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. 

Miasmata, destroying (calcis chlorid.) 89. 

Milzbrandkarbunkel (chlorin. aq.) 112. 
(Zinci chlorid.) 3S5. 

Mortification, mildew, 340. 

Mouth, inflammation of the, chronic (chlo- 
rin. aq.)115. Offensive conditions of the 
(calcis chl >rid.) 87. Ulceration of the 
(calcis chlorid.) 85. 

Naevi materni (zinci chlorid.) 385. 

Nephralgia (chirnaphila) 101. 

Nephritis (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. 

Nervous coughs (tannieum purum) 370. 

Nervous diseases (auri praeparat.) 54. (Cort- 
adstring. Brazil.) 130. (Creosoton) 151- 
(Ferr. carb. prase.) 174. (Ferr. cyanur.) 
180. (Fuliffo) 202. (Iodinum) 249. 
(Magnet) 260, 262. (Morphina) 268. 
(Morphinae acetas) 270. (01. sinapis) 
293. (Quinina; sulphas) 329. (Zinci 
ferrohydrocyanas) 389. (Veratrina) 379. 
Chronic (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. 

Nervous excitement (lactucarium) 259. 



Neuralgia (acid, hydrocyan.) 9, 10. (Aco- 
nitin.) 21. (Ammoniated counter-irri- 
tants) 398. (Asparag. turion.) 53. (Com- 
pression of arteries) 394. (Creosoton) 
151. (Delphinin.) 160. (Elcctropunct.) 
163. (Ferr. carb. praec.) 173. (Ferr. 
cyanur.) 181. (Galvanism) 405. (Mag- 
net) 261. (Morphinae acetas) 270. 
(Morphin. bimeconas) 274. (Moxa) 400. 
(Nux vomica) 278. (01. sinapis) 293. 
(Potass. cyanid.)306. (Strychnina) 358. 
(Veratrina) 376. (Zinci ferrohydrocya- 
nas) 389. Of the abdomen (codeina) 
121. Faciei (artemisia) 52. Faciei 
(codeina) 122. Faciei (potassae chlo- 
ras) 302. Faciei. (See Tic Doulou- 
reux.) Frontal (galvanism) 405. Of 
the heart (magnet) 261. Pulmonary 
(magnet) 261. 
Neuroses (ol. croton) 283. 
Nipples, excoriated (acid, pyrolign.) 17. 

Sore (creosoton) 141. 
Nodes, gouty (sulphur, carb.) 3C6. 
Noma (chlorin. aq.) 113. 
Odontalgia (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. (Ol. sinapis) 293. (See Toolhuch.) 
Odour, offensive (calcis chlorid.) 88. 
ffidema (creosoton) 147. Of the feet 

(acupunct.) 28. 
Offensive evacuations (calcis chlorid.) 89. 
Ophthalmia (acid, hydrocyan.) 10. (Acu- 
punct.) 27. (Creosoton) 146. Ca- 
tarrhal (calcis chlorid.) 88, 91. Chronic 
(calcis chlorid.) 8S. Egyptian (tanni- 
eum purum) 370. Neonatorum (calcis 
chlorid.) 88. Purulent (calcis chlorid.) 
88. Rheumatic (zinci ferrohydrocyanas) 
389. Scrofulous (auri praeparat.) 57. 
Scrofulous (aurum rnuriat.) 62. Scrofu- 
lous (calcis chlorid.) 88, 91. Scrofulous 
(potass, iodid.) 313. Scrofulous (quinine? 
sulphas) 339. Strumous (fuligo) 201. 
Strumous (ol. jecinor. aselli) 288. Tarsi 
(acid, pyrolign.) 17. Tarsi (creosoton) 
146. Tarsi (hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 228. 
Tarsi (zinci ferrohydrocyanas) 389. 
Tarsi (zinci iodinum) 390. 
Orchitis (compressio) 391. 
Osteocopi, syphilitic (strychnina) 358. 
Otalgia (ol. sinapis) 293. 
Otorrhcea (creosoton) 141. (Cubebae) 155. 

(Potassii bromid.) 304. 
Ovaries, degenerated (iodin.) 250. Dropsy 
of the (iodin.) 250. Inflammation of the 
(hydrarg. cyanur.) 222. 
Ozcena (calcis chlorid.) 85. (Carbo ani- 

malis) 97. (Iodinum) 251. 
Pain, anomalous, of hip and thigh (mor- 
phin. bimeconas) 274. Nervous and 
muscular (ammoniated counter-irri- 
tants) 398. Nervous and muscular 
(moxa) 400. Nocturnal, in the bones 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



427 



Pain — continued. 

(zinci ferrohydrocyanas) 389. Severe 
(acid, hydrocyan.) 10. 

Palpitations (magnet) 261. (Veratrina) 
381. 

Pancreas, induration of the (carbo anima- 
lis) 97. 

Paralysis (acupunct.) 28. (Arnica) 45. 
(Brucina) 79. (Delphinin.) 160. (Gal- 
vanism) 405. (Electropunct.) 163. (Iodi- 
num) 249. (Nux vomica) 277, 280. 
(Strychnina) 356. (Veratrina) 380. 
(Zinci chlorid.) 385. (Zinci ferrohydro- 
cyanas) 388. Of the bladder (diosma) 
163. Of the bladder (secale cornutum) 
345. Of the bladder (strychnina) 357. 
Of the upper eyelid (ol. croton) 283. 
Of the facial nerve (strychnina) 357. 
Lead (brucina) 79. Partial (nux vomi- 
ca) 278. Of the rectum (nux vomica) 
278. Succeeding 1 to apoplexy (nux vo- 
mica) 277. 

Paralytic debility (ammoniated counter- 
irritants) 399. 

Paraplegia (secale cornutum) 345. (Strych- 
nina) 356. 

Paroxysmal diseases (secale cornutum) 344. 

Parturient efforts defective (secale cornu- 
tum) 341. 

Pericarditis (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Phlebitis (compressio) 390. 

Phlegmasia (compressio) 390. 

Phthisis (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. (Acid, py- 
rolign.) 17. (Aq. picea) 34. (Calcis 
chlorid.) 84. (Chlorin.) 105, 106. (Oreo- 
soton) 147, 152. (Fucus crispus) 199. 
(Galeopsis) 204. (Iodinum) 246. (Ol. 
croton) 283. (Ol. jccinor. aselli) 288. 
(Potassse chloras) 301. (Tannicum pu- 
rum) 370. Cough of (codeina) 122. 
Mucosa (galeopsis) 204. Mucosa (iodi- 
num) 247. Pituitosa (chimaphila) 102. 
Sweats of (boletus laricis) 73. 

Pica (caincae radix) 82. 

Pimples (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Pityriasis (zinci chlorid.) 385. 

Plague (chlorin. aq.) 111. Prevention of 
(chlorin. aq.) 114. 

Plcuritis. (See inflammation of the pleura.) 

Pleurodyne (acupunct.) 28. 

Pneumonia (mannitum) 263. Chronic 
(hydrarg. cyannrct.) 221. 

Poisoning by arsenic (ferr. oxyd. hydrat.) 
192. By hydrocyanic acid (chlorin. 
aq.) 113. 

Polypi cartilaginous (carho onimalis) 97. 
Mucous (carbo animalis) 97. 

Porrigo (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Carbon, 
sesqui-iodid.) 99. (Fuligo) 202. (Ol. 
jecin. aselli) 288. Favosa (creosoton) 
146. Favosa (hydrarg. bromid.) 219. 



Porrigo — continued. 

Favosa (iodinum) 250. Favosa (potassii 
bromid.) 304. Scrofulous (auri praepa- 
rat.) 57. (See Tinea.) 

Prolapsus vaginae (creosoton) 146. 

Prosopalgia (ol. sinapis) 293. (Potassae 
chloras) 302. (Veratrina) 379. (Zinci 
chlorid.) 386. 

Prostate, disease of the (diosma) 162. En- 
largement of the (carbo animalis) 98. 
Enlarged (iodinum) 244. Enlarged 
(iodinum) 252. 

Prurigo (colchicum) 127. 

Pruritus pudendi muliebris (calcis chlorid.) 
87. Vulvae (fuligo) 201. 

Psora. (See Itch.) 

Psoriasis (chlorin.) 108. (Creosoton) 146. 
(Hydrarg. proto-iodur.) 224. (Sulphur, 
iodid.) 367. 

Pustule maligne (zinci chlorid.) 385. 

Putrefaction, checking (calcis chlorid.) 
88. 

Putrescency, tendency to (quininae et cin- 
chonin. tannas) 331. 

Pyrosis (nux vomica) 279. 

Rectum, catarrh of the (cort. adstring. 
Brazil.) 130. 

Remittent fever (ferr. cyanur.) 180. 

Rhagades (ol. jecin. aselli) 289. 

Rheumatic pains (hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 
228. 

Rheumatism (acupunct.) 26. (Ammo- 
niated counter-irritants) 399. (Ballota 
lanata) 68. (Cainca? radix) 82. (Chlo- 
rin.) 108. (Colchicum) 125, 126. (Com- 
pression) 390. (Compression of arte- 
ries) 394. (Creosoton) 149. (Delphi- 
nin) 160. (Electropunct.) 163. (Fuli- 
go) 202. (Galvanism) 403. (Todinum) 
252. (Magnet) 261. (Morphinae acetas.) 
271. (Moxa) 400. (Ol. croton.) 283. 
(Ol. jccinor. aselli) 287. (Ol. sinapis) 
293. (Potassae chloras) 302. (Potass, 
cyanid.) 306. (Sulphuris carburetum) 
365, 366. (Veratrina) 3S0. Articular 
(aconit.) 22. Chronic (chimaphila) 101. 
Chronic (cubebae) 155. Chronic (dios- 
ma) 162. 

Rickets (ferr. iodid.) 186. (Ol. jecinor. 
aselli) 287. 

Ringworm (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Roseola (chlorin. aq.) 112. 

St. Vitus's dance (ammoniated counter-ir- 
ritants) 399. (Liq. argent, muriat. am- 
nion.) 40. (Artemisia) 51. (Nux vomi- 
ca) 278. (Zinci chlorid.) 386. 

Salivation, mercurial (calcis chlorid.) 86, 
91. Mercurial (iodinum) 253. Profuse 
(auri pneparat.) 54. 

Scabies (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Chlorin.) 108. 
(See itch.) 

Scarlatina (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Calcis chlo- 



428 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



Scarlatina — continued. 

rid.) 87. (Chlorin. aq.) 112. (Chlorin. 
aq.) 114. (Colchicum) 127. 

Sciatica (acupunct.) 28. (Potass, cyanid.) 
306. Gouty (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 
Rheumatic (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 

Scirrhus (auri praspar.) 58. (Ferr. iodid. 
186. (Potass, iodid.) 311. Of the lips 
(carbo animalis) 97. Of the mammae 
(calendula) 93. Of the mammas (carbo 
animalis) 97. Of the mammae (iodin.) 
250. Of the prostate (carbo animalis) 
98. Of the pylorus (acid, hydrocyan.) 
10. Of the pylorus (auri prseparat.) 58. 
Of the pylorus (zinci ferrohydrocyanas) 
389. Of the stomach (artemisia) 52. 
Of the stomach (iodin.) 251. Of the 
tongue (auri praeparat.) 58. Of the 
uterus (acid, hydrocyan.) 10. Of the 
uterus (auri prffipar.) 58. Of the uterus 
(iodin.) 250. 

Scrofula (acid, pyrolign.) 17. (Auri cy- 
anidum) 59. (Auri praepar.) 56, 57. 
(Brominum) 77. (Chlorin.) 108. (Ferr. 
bromat.) 173. (Ferr. cyanur.) 181. 
(Ferr. iodid.) 186. (Fucus crispus) 199. 
(Gentianin.) 203. (Hydrarg. deuto- 
iodur.) 227. (Iodinum) 244. (01. jecin. 
aselli) 287. (Potassii bromid.) 304. 
(Potass, iodid.) 312. 

Scrofulosis (hydrarg. protoiodur.) 224. 

Scrofulous affections (sodse chloridum) 
349. Diathesis (carbo animalis) 97, 98. 
Diseases (baryum iodatum) 70. Habit 
ferr. cyanur.) 181. (Aurum mur. na. 
tronat.) 64. Swellings (calcis chlori- 
dum) 84. Swellings (carbo animalis) 
98. Swellings (chlorin. aq.) 114. Swel- 
lings (iodid. quinin.) 258. Swellings 
(iodinum) 257. Swellings (plumbi 
iodid.) 299. Swellings (potassii bromi- 
dum) 304. (Veretrina) 381. Swellings 
of the glands (calcis chlorid.) 87. Tu- 
mefaction of the upper lip (aur. muriat. 
natronat.) 64. Ulcers (potass, iodid.) 
313. 

Scurvy (creosoton) 142. 

Seasickness (creosote) 150. 

Sensibility, unusual, of the abdomen (zinci 
ferrohydrocyanas) 389. 

Serpents, bites of (caincae radix) 82. (Gu- 
aco) 213. 

Serpigo (potass, iodid.) 312. 

Sleeplessness (lactucarium) 260. (Mag- 
netism, animal) 406. (Morphin. bime- 
conas) 279. 

Sloughing ulcers (calcis chlorid.) 85. 

Small-pox (calcis chloiid.) 85. (Chlorin. 
aq.) 112. 

Sore throat (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Spasmodic diseases (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 
(Acupunct.) 27. (Colchicum) 127. (In- 



Spasmodic diseases— continued. 

digum) 230. (Magnet) 260. (Zinci 
ferrohydrocyanas) 388. 

Spasmodic erethism (creosoton) 151. 

Spasms (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. (Magnet) 261. 

Sphacelus (acid, pyrolign.) 17. 

Spina ventosa (ol. jecinor. aselli) 288. 

Spleen, diseases of the (potass, bromid.) 
304. Engorgement of the (quininae sul- 
phas) 325. Enlarged (hydrarg. deuto- 
iodur.)228. Enlarged (iodin.) 251. In- 
durated (iodinum) 243. 

Sprains (creosoton) 141. Violent (ammo- 
niated counter-irritants) 399. 

Staubasthma (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 

Stomacace (iodinum) 253. 

Stomach, coats of the, hypertrophy of the 
(sulph. carbur.) 366. Irritation of (co- 
deina) 122. Neuropathic disorders of 
(acid, hydrocyan.) 19. 

Stricture of the Eustachian tube (catheter- 
ism) 407. Of the urethra (iodin.) 251. 
Spasmodic, of the urethra (diosma) 162. 

Struma varicosa (carbo animalis) 97. 

Suffocation, sense of (acid, hydrocyan.) 8. 

Suppuration, profuse (creosoton) 141. 

Sweating, profuse (boletus laricis) 73. 

Syphilis (argenti praeparat.) 37. (Auri 
cyanidum) 59. (Auri praeparat.) 54, 
56. (Aurum muriat.) 62. (Chlorin.) 
108. (Hydrarg. bromid.) 219. (Hy- 
drarg. cyanur.) 221. (Hydrarg. deuto- 
iodur.) 227. Secondary (ferr. iodid.) 
]86. Secondary (iodinum) 252. With 
scrofula (potass, iodid.) 31]. 

Syphilitic affections (potassae chloras) 301. 
Eruptions (ferr. carb.) 177. Excoria- 
tions (aurum metallicum) 60. Excres- 
cences (aurum metallicum) 60. Oste- 
ocopi (strychnina) 358, 360. Swellings 
of the bones (potass, iodid.) 314. Ulcers 
(aurum metallicum) 60. 

Tabes mesenterica (ferr. iodid.) 186. 

Taenia (acid, hydrocyan.) 10. (Brayera 
anthelmintica) 74. (Creosoton) 150. 
(Euphorb. ol.) 170. (Filix mas) 196. 
(Granatum.) 210. (Ol. croton) 282. 

Tarsi inflamed, chronic (creosoton) 146, 
153. 

Teeth, caries of the (calcis chlorid.) 87. 

Testes, enlarged (iodinum) 243. Enlarged 
(potass, iodid.) 313. Scrofulous swell- 
ing of the (potassii bromid.) 304. 

Tetanus (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. (Ammoni- 
ated counter-irritants) 399. (Colchicum) 
126. Traumatic (strychnina) 358. 

Tetter (iodinum) 249. (See Herpes.) 

Thoracic inflammation (hydrarg. cyanur.) 
222. 

Thymus, hypertrophied (iodin.) 250. 

Tic douloureux (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 
(Aconitin.) 21. (Ammoniated counter- 



INDEX OF DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



429 



Tic duuloureaux — continued. 

irritants) 399. (Delphinin) 160. (Gal- 
vanism) 405. (Strychnina) 358. (Ve- 
ratrina) 380, 383. (See Neuralgia.) 

Tinea (calcis chlorid.) 87, 92. (Chlorin. 
aq.) 114, 115. (Fuligo) 201. (Iodid. 
sulph.) 258. 

Tongue, induration ofthe(auri prajparat.) 
58. 

Tonsils, enlarged (iodinum) 244. 

Toothach (acid, hydrocyan.) 10. (Acid, 
pyrolign.) 17. (Acupunct.) 28. (Creo- 
soton) 147, 153. (Liq. ferr. persesqui- 
nit.) 190. (Magnet) 261. (Spilanthus 
oleraceus) 350. Rheumatic (sulph. car- 
bur) 367. 

Tophi, gouty (iodinum) 252. 

Tremors (Magnet) 261. (Strychnina) 357. 
From mercury (electro-punct.) 163. 

Trismus (ammoniated counter-irritants) 
399. 

Tubercles (iodinum) 245. (01. jecinor. 
aselli) 288. Of the lung (chlorin.) 106. 
(Iodinum) 245. Mesenteric (iodinum) 
245. 

Tumors of the bones (auri. praeparat.) 58. 
Of the mammas (ol. jecinor. aselli) 289. 
Scrofulous (iodid. quinin.) 258. Scrofu- 
lous (iodinum) 257. 

Typhoid fever (aq. chlorin.) 112. 

Typhus (calcis chlorid.) 84. (Chlorin. aq.) 
112. (Quininee et cinchoninae tannas) 
331. (Sodae chloridum) 339. Abdomi- 
nalis (chlorini aq.) 112. Bilious (calcis 
chloridum) 84. 

Ulceration of the mouth (calcis chlorid.) 85. 

Ulcerative process (iodinum) 254. 

Ulcers (chlorin. aq.) 115. (Creosoton) 141. 
(Ol. jecinor. aselli) 291. (Sodse chlori- 
dum) 349. Atonic (creosoton) 141. 
Atonic (iodid. sulph.) 258. Atonic 
(zinci chloridum) 385. Cancerous (ca- 
lendula) 94, 95. Cancerous (chlorin. 
aq.) 114. Cancerous (ferr. carb. prose.) 
173. Cancerous (hydrarg. deuto-iodur.) 
227. Cancerous of the face (creosoton) 
143. Carious (creosoton) 141. Erosive 
(zinci chlorid.) 385. Fistulous (creoso- 
ton) 141. Gangrenous (calcis chlori- 
dum) 84. Gangrenous (creosoton) 142. 
Herpetic, &c. (acid, pyrolign.) 16, 18. 



Ulcers — continued. 

Herpetic (creosoton) 142. Herpetic 
(zinci chlorid.) 385. Indolent (creoso- 
ton) 141. Malignant (creosoton) 142. 
Malignant (zinci chlorid.) 385. Of the 
mouth after salivation (potasses chloras) 
302. Phagedenic (zinci chlorid.) 385. 
Sanious (creosoton) 141. Scorbutic (cre- 
osoton) 142. Scrofulous (creosoton) 141. 
Scrofulous (hydrarg. protoiodur.) 224, 
226. Scrofulous (iodinum) 256. Scro- 
fulous (zinci chlorid.) 385. Sloughing 
(creosoton) 142. Sloughing, from lying 
(plumb, tannas) 300. Syphilitic (aurum 
metallicum) 60. Syphilitic (creosoton) 
142. Syphilitic (ferr. iodid.) 187. Sy- 
philitic (hydrarg. cyanuret.) 222. Sy. 
philitic (hydrarg. proto-iodur.) 224. Sy- 
philitic, old (zinci chlorid.) 385. Torpid, 
foul, &c. (calcis chlorid.) 84. Torpid, 
foul (ferr. cyanur.) 181,182. Varicose 
(creosoton) 141. 

Urethra, diseases of the (diosma) 162. Mu- 
cous membrane of the, tumefied (carb. 
anim.) 98. 

Urinary organs, diseased (chimaphila) 101. 

Urine, incontinence of (diosma) 162. 
(Iodin.) 249. Retention of (secale cor- 
nutum) 345. 

Urticaria (cort. adstring. Brazil.) 130. 

Uterus, cancers of the (ferr. carb. prcec.) 
174. Neck of the, fungus of the (aur. 
nitrico-muriat.) 66. Pain of the (acid, 
hydrocyan.) 10. Spasmodic pains of the 
(acid, hydrocyan.) 9. 

Vagina, inflammation o: the (fuligo) 202. 

Varicose veins (acupunct.) 28. 

Venereal infection, prevention of (chlorin. 
aq.) 114. 

Vomiting (acid, hydrocyan.) 9. (Argilla) 
43. (Creosote) 150. (Strychnina) 358. 
Chronic (artemisia) 52. Chronic (calen- 
dula) 94. Obstinate (calendula) 94. 

Worms (caincee radix) 81. (Ol. croton.) 
282. (Zinci fcrrohydrocyanas) 388. 

Wounds (calcis chlorid) 85. Contused 
(diosma) 162. From dissection (calcis 
chlorid.) 85. From gunpowder (calcis 
chlorid.) 86. Painful (acid, hydrocyan.) 



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